ARSENAL should make a last-ditch attempt to sign Declan Rice, according to Piers Morgan.
The SunSport columnist is delighted the Gunners are top of the Premier League and has admitted he is now a believer in Mikel Arteta.
But he has urged the Spaniard to make a bid for West Ham midfielder Rice.
The England star, 23, has an asking price of £150million but with the Hammers at the foot of the table Morgan believes now is the time to strike.
Arsenal have already spent heavily in the transfer window but some fans felt Thomas Partey’s absence was felt in the win over Fulham.
One fan noted Arsenal struggled without the Ghanaian and suggested the club should try to sign Rice.
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In response Morgan tweeted: “I endorse this message.”
However, West Ham are adamant Rice is not for sale and told Chelsea to come up with £150m in order to rebuff their interest earlier this summer.
Rice also two years remaining on his deal and West Ham have an option to extend it by 12 months – though he is reluctant to sign a new deal.
He has been offered an eight-year contract worth £93m but he has turned it down.
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Arsenal may also have to fight off interest from Manchester United to land the midfielder – though Erik ten Hag has signed a defensive midfielder in Casemiro this summer.
Another potential issue Arsenal face is the fact they cannot offer Rice Champions League football.
The Hammers captain has made no secret of his desire to play in Europe’s premier competition, nor his urgent need to win trophies.
Rice said in March: “It is as urgent as possible. I feel like, not only for me, that’s for every young player as well.
“We are really close with West Ham at the minute and last season it was gutting to lose out on it but we are pushing. We’ll keep going.
“[The] Champions League is a big aim of mine and hopefully one day I can play in it and do well.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
