09 June 2023 , 08:36
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Arsenal are now thought to be Declan Rice's next destination and the Gunners may have a secret weapon of theirs to thank for beating out the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
Mikel Arteta is a long-term admirer of the West Ham captain and is rumoured to have placed Rice on his transfer wish-list some time ago. He is edging closer to landing the England international's signature and a formal bid is expected to be lodged from the Gunners in the coming days.
The Arsenal boss is a man who knows what he wants and will deploy a number of tactics to get it. That includes, it would seems, getting former team-mates in on the act.
Mirror Football reported back in March of this year that those at the top of the Arsenal hierarchy viewed Jack Wilshere as a potential tactic they could use in their favour in the pursuit of Rice.
The ex-Gunners star played alongside the Hammers skipper for two years between 2018 and 2020 at the London Stadium.
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Wilshere has since returned to the red half of north London as part of Arsenal's academy coaching staff. The close relationship between the pair that was formed during their time together at West Ham was viewed as one method of persuading Rice to opt for Arsenal.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Declan Rice be an Arsenal player next season? Comment below
Jack Wilshere may have helped persuade Declan Rice overhis next moveNot long after that news first emerged, Wilshere added further fuel to the rumour mill by publicly admitting he wants his friend to join Arsenal.
"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," Wilshere declared.
"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 in unbelievable, he is captain of a big Premier League club and is always learning."
The ex-Arsenal ace added: "I’m looking forward to wherever he goes. I hope it is Arsenal, it would be a massive signing and a perfect fit."
Rice has remained coy on his future, but West Ham owner David Sullivan has laid the situation bare after being asked if the Europa Conference League final was the midfielder's last game for the club.
He told talkSPORT: "I think it has to be. We promised him he could go.
"He set his heart on going and in due course he has to get on and we have to get a replacement."