‘With some cash’: Arsenal could sign Declan Rice in swap deal, ‘frightening’ Gunner could join West Ham
Arsenal could now try to sign West Ham United star Declan Rice in a swap deal that would see Folarin Balogun going to the London Stadium this summer.
That’s according to Dean Jones on GiveMeSport, who claims that the Gunners could really make a player-plus-cash offer to sign Rice, just to bring down the Hammers’ asking price.
Rice will enter the final year of his contract this summer, and he is Arsenal’s top transfer target.
Journalist suggests Arsenal could offer Folarin Balogun in a swap deal to sign West Ham star Declan Rice
Sky Sports reported yesterday that West Ham want £120 million for Declan Rice from Arsenal or any other Champions League club this summer.
They are, however, reportedly prepared to consider an offer of £100 million plus a player in exchange
Arsenal have been reported to be the favourites to sign Rice this summer, but we just can’t see them spending £120 million on a single player.
That’s where a player-plus-cash offer could come in, and Jones has claimed that Balogun, who has been branded as a ‘frightening‘ player, could be the one who will be included in the deal.
He said: “There could be some sense in a player going in the other direction if Arsenal want to strike a deal.
“We ’ll have to wait to see what happens with Balogun, but he seems to be ready to challenge for regular Premier League football and if West Ham like what they see on that front, then maybe this could become an option that’s put forward along with some cash.”
Ou View:
This would be a very smart move by Arsenal.
Ideally, they shouldn’t even consider letting a player like Balogun go, but the 21-year-old apparently wants first-team football next season, and he’s not going to get that at the Emirates.
Arsenal have reportedly set a £35.4 million price tag on Balogun. If West Ham, who need a new striker this summer, agree with that valuation, that could bring Rice’s asking price down.
It will be interesting to see if Arsenal can pull off a deal of this nature to sign Rice this summer.
