Laura Woods excited by Rice deal with firm message to Arsenal critics

Arsenal fan Laura Woods could not hide her excitement at the potential of Declan Rice moving to the Emirates. The presenter claims the prospect of signing the West Ham captain is a firm message to critics who claim the Gunners have “bottled” the Premier League title this season.

Arsenal are the favourites to sign Rice this summer. The midfielder has just over 12 months remaining on his contract, although the Hammers have the option to extend it by a further year.

West Ham are resigned to the fact that Rice will likely leave the club in the upcoming window. However, they will not let him go for a fee lower than £100million.

Rice would be joining an Arsenal side that will finish in at least the top two of the Premier League this season. Recent results have seen Manchester City storm ahead in their quest of a fifth title in six years.

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But Woods says the fact Arsenal are even in the conversation for Rice shows how far they have come. Reacting to reports Rice could replace Granit Xhaka, the presenter said on talkSPORT: “I want to keep them both but wow, if Arsenal managed to go and get Declan Rice…

“When people say ‘they bottled it’, or ‘they did this or that’, I’d say that the thing Arsenal did do this season was to make themselves contenders to attract £100m players, that’s what they did.

“What could he be for that Arsenal side next season? He could be amazing if they manage to get hold of him.”

Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City are also long-term admirers of Rice. But Woods’ radio colleague and former Rangers striker Ally McCoist has suggested that Arsenal would be the best destination for him in England.

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McCoist said: “He should probably go to Real Madrid with Bellingham! But if he was staying on these shores, I’d be really concerned about going to Manchester United at this moment in time, I’ve got to be honest.

“I think they’ve done really well. However, the last few weeks have set alarm bells ringing in my head as they’re further away than I initially thought, so I’m not sure about going there.

“Liverpool’s midfield is crying out for Declan Rice, Chelsea have got an excellent midfield but I don’t know if they’re going to spend that kind of money after wasting the best part of half a billion and finishing 12th or 13th, that’s not great.

“I’ve got to be brutally honest, and that wee face of yours is lighting up – if you could swap Granit Xhaka for Declan Rice, never mind ‘I feel a bit this’, or ‘I feel a bit that’, if you’re an Arsenal fan that’s the move of the season!”

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