‘It would be a massive signing’: Jack Wilshere insists Declan Rice would be the ‘PERFECT fit’ at Arsenal… as he looks to lure the West Ham captain – and his former team-mate – to the Emirates in a big-money summer move
Jack Wilshere believes Declan Rice would be a ‘perfect fit’ at Arsenal and would develop as a player under Mikel Arteta.
The West Ham captain is one of Arsenal’s main targets this summer and the north London side are ready to splash the cash to secure his signature, with the Gunners leading the race to sign the 24-year-old.
Rice collected his 41st England cap in Sunday’s Euro 2024 qualification win over Ukraine, where he was spotted talking to Gunners left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko at full-time.
The defensive midfielder made his West Ham debut in 2017 and was installed as club captain upon Mark Noble’s retirement last summer.
He also spent time playing in the Hammers midfield with Wilshere and the former Arsenal star, who now manages the Gunners Under 18s side, has witnessed enough of Rice’s ability first-hand to have concluded he would be a hit at the Emirates stadium.
Jack Wilshere (left) believes Declan Rice (right) would be a ‘perfect fit’ at Arsenal
Wilshere believes the West Ham captain would develop as a player under Mikel Arteta (above)
‘He’s a midfielder who can do anything,’ Wilshere told PA. ‘Anyone who supports any club would want Dec to join.
‘If I’m talking from a selfish point of view, in north London, I think he would be very good under Mikel’s watch.
‘Mikel would develop him, bring him on even more and he would be massive for the team as well. I have had conversations with Dec and told him what he is doing is unbelievable, he is captain of a big Premier League club and is always learning.
‘You have to be respectful to West Ham, that is his club, but his future is in his hands and it’s very exciting for him because he’s got everything with him now and he’s picking up more and more, he’s growing into this man who could play anywhere.
‘I’m looking forward to wherever he goes. I hope it is Arsenal, it would be a massive signing and a perfect fit.’
Injuries forced Wilshere to retire at the age of 30 having represented Bolton, Bournemouth as well as both Arsenal and West Ham.
He…