Arsenal accused of using £100m Declan Rice transfer as ‘smokescreen’ to sign Premier League star
Lee Dixon, a well-known Arsenal figure, thinks that Arsenal’s reported interest in West Ham’s captain, Declan Rice, is a diversion tactic, used to conceal their true intentions of pursuing other players.
According to football.london, Arsenal is said to be prioritizing the signing of Rice this summer as they aim to add more quality competition to Mikel Arteta’s squad, particularly for Thomas Partey. Rice’s current contract with West Ham is due to expire at the end of next season, which could lead to the club looking to sell their talented midfielder.
Arsenal’s interest in Rice was first reported during the January transfer window, following two unsuccessful bids for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.
The 21-year-old midfielder from Ecuador had previously issued a statement expressing his desire to leave Brighton on deadline day, but has since deleted it and signed a new long-term contract with the club.
However, despite his commitment to Brighton, there are reports that Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool are still interested in signing him and could try to secure his signature once again during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Lee Dixon, a former Arsenal player, thinks that Arsenal’s reported interest in Declan Rice is not sincere and that they are actually pursuing other players like Moises Caicedo.
Dixon shared his thoughts with BettingSites.co.uk, saying that he doesn’t believe Arsenal will be willing to pay the £100 million price tag that has been rumored for Rice.
“I don’t think Rice is worth £100million to be honest. I think West Ham are going to want even more than that. I don’t know who Arsenal are looking at.
“But based on the way they’ve recruited so far I would suggest that they’ve got alternatives. It might be that Rice is a bit of a smoke screen, and they’re not really that interested.
“I think he’s a really good player but I’m not convinced he will be at Arsenal next season.”
Quizzed on who Arsenal should sign in the summer, Dixon stated: “I like Caicedo. I think the Brighton model in terms of what they’re doing with their replacement of the players that they sell is brilliant.
“I’m a big admirer of what Brighton are all about and Caicedo certainly fits in at Arsenal. I think he’s a really good player.”
It has been reported that both Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo have expressed their interest in joining clubs that are competing for titles and participating in the Champions League.
Rice has refused to sign a new contract with West Ham and with only one year left on his current deal, the club may be forced to sell him for less than they had initially hoped to receive.
Arsenal accused of using £100m Declan Rice transfer as ‘smokescreen’ to sign Premier League star
