Arsenal are said to be preparing a big offer for Declan Rice - and Arsene Wenger's previous opinion of the West Ham star has proven correct.
The Guardian reported on Monday night that the Gunners are close to agreeing a £100m transfer fee for Rice - although no formal offer has yet been made to West Ham.
A move to the Emirates will likely put Rice Arsenal's first summer signing ahead of what will be a busy transfer window for Mikel Arteta's side.
The official window opened on Wednesday and with Football Insider claiming the 24-year-old has said 'yes' to the Arsenal project and personal terms have been verbally agreed, a deal could be done. fast.
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Rice is currently on international duty with England, who won the Europa Conference League with West Ham last week. During the international break, the midfielder could become an Arsenal player - and he has proven the right side of former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger with his rapid rise through the ranks. steps at London Stadium.
Wenger eats rice
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Rice started his career at Chelsea's academy but was released at the age of 14. He then joined West Ham, signing his first professional contract in 2015.
After graduating to the first team during the 2016/17 campaign, he mainly played as a midfielder but also played as a central defender occasionally.
However, in recent seasons he has earned his own defensive midfielder position, earning a reputation as one of the best players in that position in the Premier League. He now looks set to become the club's record signing - fulfilling a Wenger prophecy in the process.
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In 2019, the London Evening Standard published a detailed report on the first time the legendary French coach watched Rice play.
He read:
“It was the early afternoon of September 2015 and Arsene Wenger was standing on one of Arsenal's training grounds watching his Under-18s play against West Ham, and after 20 minutes he decided he had seen enough.
"As he walked away, he turned to a member of his coaching staff and pointed out that the best player on the pitch was Declan Rice - a 16-year-old centre-back.
"Wenger has no doubt that he is a real talent."
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Almost eight years after Wenger first saw Rice, he seems to be one step closer to becoming an Arsenal star.
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