Man Utd legend urges overpriced £100m man to pick Liverpool over transfer rivals
Manchester United hero Andy Cole has urged Declan Rice to opt for Liverpool over the other Premier League clubs vying for his signature this summer.
Rice is widely expected to move from West Ham, who want £100m for the England international, and Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool have all been linked.
It’s thought the Gunners are in pole position to sign Rice this summer, but Cole has questioned whether a move to the Emirates would be the right one for the 24-year-old, with Arsenal already well stocked in central midfield.
Cole told Metro: “Declan Rice has been inconsistent, and also what does he actually do? Is Arsenal the right move? They already have Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, and Mohamed Elneny just signed a contract extension. Someone has to move on because Mikel Arteta won’t be able to keep everyone happy.
“Is Chelsea the right move? I’m not sure either because they have just bought Enzo Fernandez and other midfielders. It will be interesting who he chooses. But the £100m price tag West Ham have put on him, I would not pay that.”
Cole instead reckons Liverpool would be a good landing spot for Rice, with Jurgen Klopp’s midfield in need of a revamp this summer.
He added: “If Liverpool are interested in Rice, then I’d be looking at that midfield if I was him because they need a rebuild. It looks like Liverpool plan to start all over again in the midfield, and also it’s not like they’re a bad team, they will bounce back next season.”
Jack Wilshere disagrees with Cole, and reckons Rice would be the “perfect fit” for Arsenal.
“He’s a midfielder who can do anything,” Wilshere said.
“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 in 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.”
