Arsenal have now been handed an opportunity to sign West Ham United star Declan Rice in a player-plus-cash deal in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Sky Sports reveal that the Hammers have slapped a £120 million price tag on Rice. They are only ready to let him go for that figure to a Champions League club, but there is a way to bring that fee down.
The report claims that West Ham will consider selling Rice for £100 million plus a player in exchange. Here are five players Arsenal could offer in a deal to sign the 24-year-old Englishman this summer…
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Five players Arsenal can use in Declan Rice swap deal
Albert Sambi Lokonga:
Lokonga started off his Arsenal career last season in spectacular fashion. He’s excellent on the ball, can pick out a pass and has the potential to become a top midfielder in a few years’ time.
The Belgian is currently on loan at Crystal Palace and it’s unlikely he has a future at Arsenal.
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Including him in a deal to sign Rice would make a lot of sense, as Lokonga could fulfil his potential at the London Stadium.
Folarin Balogun:
Arsenal sent Folarin Balogun on loan to French side Reims last summer, and he has exploded in the Ligue 1. He has scored 18 goals in the league so far, more than Lionel Messi, Neymar and former Gunner Alexis Sanchez there.
The Athletic reported that Balogun has no interest in another loan move this summer. He either wants to be a regular starter at Arsenal or leave the club on a permanent deal.
The latter is the more likely option, and he would be a good fit at West Ham.
Rob Holding:
Arsenal will almost definitely look to replace Rob Holding this summer.
The Englishman is really not as bad a player as some fans make it out to be, but the drop-off in level when William Saliba is unavailable is extremely big, as we have seen recently.
Holding is more than good enough to be a regular at a different club in the Premier League, and if West Ham want a new centre-half this summer, he’d be a decent option for them.
Nuno Tavares:
Like Lokonga, Nuno Tavares had a really good start to life at Arsenal last season. His pace and attacking prowess on the left flank made him a very exciting player to watch, but his form dipped in the second half of the campaign.
On loan at Marseille now, Tavares has had a similar season. He was absolutely incredible in the first six months of the campaign, but he has again struggled recently.
The potential is clearly there, but Tavares just needs the right manager to make him a more consistent player. Perhaps, David Moyes is the one to make that happen.
Charlie Patino:
Like Balogun, Charlie Patino has decided he either wants regular football at Arsenal or he’ll leave the club on a permanent deal this summer (The Athletic). Again, the latter seems more likely.
The youngster is one of Arsenal’s brightest prospects. He has the potential to reach the very top in a few years’ time, and he would be a very exciting replacement for Rice in the middle of West Ham’s midfield.
Patino could be a very interesting option for the Hammers if we include him in a swap deal for Rice. Hopefully, they’ll agree to a buy-back clause inserted in the deal.
