Repeat of Mudryk Saga? Arsenal Fear Chelsea’s Move for Declan Rice

As the summer transfer window approaches, Arsenal finds themselves treading carefully in their pursuit of West Ham’s Declan Rice, following the Mykhailo Mudryk transfer saga.

Rice has become a priority target for Arsenal, with manager Mikel Arteta aiming to bolster his midfield options for the upcoming season.

While the Gunners have emerged as favorites to secure Rice’s signature, the club remains cautious of potential competition from Chelsea, who reportedly have a long-standing interest in the player.

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This caution stems from Arsenal’s recent experience with the collapsed Mudryk deal, in which the Ukrainian midfielder opted for a last-minute switch to Stamford Bridge instead.

Arsenal’s Pursuit of Rice:

Declan Rice’s desire to play in the UEFA Champions League has made him an attractive prospect for Arsenal, who have prepared an £80 million bid and a lucrative five-year contract worth up to £300,000 per week, according to The Sun.

With the player rejecting multiple contract extensions at West Ham, the Gunners see an opportunity to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.

However, the club remains wary of the potential threat posed by Chelsea’s longstanding interest in Rice, along with reported attention from Manchester United, Manchester City, and Liverpool.

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Concerns over a Repeat Scenario:

The collapsed Mudryk deal has raised concerns within Arsenal regarding the possibility of history repeating itself in Rice’s potential move to the club.

Despite being on the verge of securing a deal for Mudryk in January, Arsenal saw their plans shattered as the Ukrainian midfielder opted to join Chelsea instead.

These concerns have prompted Arsenal to approach the Rice transfer cautiously, mindful of Chelsea’s continued interest in the player.

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Chelsea’s Unusual Offer:

While Chelsea may face financial constraints due to their significant expenditure this year and the need to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations, they are reportedly considering an unusual approach to secure Rice’s services.

West Ham has made it clear that they will not lower their asking price for the midfielder, using Enzo Fernandez’s £106 million move to Chelsea as a benchmark.

In response, Chelsea could potentially offer up to four players as part of the deal, according to reports.

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Although Arsenal currently holds an advantage over Chelsea due to their qualification for the UEFA Europa League, Arteta and his team must remain prepared for any potential twists and turns, mindful of the previous hijacking of their Mudryk move.

Arsenal’s pursuit of Declan Rice highlights their ambition to strengthen their midfield ahead of the upcoming season.

While Arsenal holds an advantage due to their Europa League qualification, the club remains wary of any last-minute surprises and is keen to avoid a repeat scenario.

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As the transfer window unfolds, Arsenal must navigate the intricacies of negotiations and potential rival interest to secure the services of their priority target.

The race for Declan Rice’s signature promises to be an intriguing battle, with Arsenal aiming to overcome any potential obstacles and bolster their squad for the challenges ahead.