Arsenal: 116 million man Declan Rice explains transfer decision

Cole interviews 116 million people

Declan Rice (24) was the most expensive player of the summer with a transfer fee of 116.6 million euros. On the way to this sum, a number of clubs played transfer poker with his training club West Ham, including Chelsea and FC Bayern. However, the decision was between Arsenal and Manchester City – it was apparently already clear to the defensive midfielder which colors he wanted to wear in 2023/24. “From the moment I met him I knew he was the one to take care of the next part of my career,” Rice said of Gunners coach Mikel Arteta in an interview withChannel 4“.

“I just had a gut feeling that Arsenal would be the right club, even though there were other interested parties,” said Rice. Man City’s last offer was reportedly 105 million euros, Arsenal increased their bid to bring Rice and Arteta together. “His aura, the way he sees the game and the way Arsenal have played the last two years – I thought I would fit in well. And this decision has paid off so far.”

Arsenal’s Rice: Trying to learn some things from Jorginho

Rice got off to a strong start to the season with his new London club, taking ten points from the first four Premier League games and defeating Man City in the Community Shield. At the “Gunners” he has more freedom than at the “Hammers” and he wants to “get the most out of himself to reach the highest level, and I have the best chance of doing that at Arsenal.”

When asked by ex-professional Joe Cole, who conducted the interview, who he thought were the best defensive midfielders in the world, the “six” named Rodri (27, Man City), Aurélien Tchouaméni (23, Real Madrid) as well his two new teammates Thomas Partey (30) and Jorginho (31). He wants to learn from the latter: “Even though he’s not the biggest, he always manages to make time and space for himself. I try to learn a few things from him. (…) I have these skills and want to be at the top.”

On the way there, Rice, who could also have played for Ireland, wants to win the 2024 European Championship in Germany with the English national team: “We have so much quality in the squad and we expect ourselves to go there and win. It doesn’t matter who we play against. That’s a good form of pressure.”

In terms of market values, the English have the most valuable squad of all national teams and with Rice they also have the world’s most valuable “six” in their ranks.

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