Rice expected to become Arsenal’s club record signing (Picture: Getty)
Jamie Carragher believes Declan Rice will be a huge success story at Arsenal but warns there is no guarantee of silverware in heading to the Emirates.
The Gunners are close to agreeing a fee with West Ham United for their club captain which will make him their most expensive signing in history at around £100million including add-ons.
The England international has been one of the most sought-after midfielders in the Premier League for a number of seasons with Manchester United and Chelsea holding long-term interest, while Bayern Munich have also identified him as a summer target.
Rice however is ready to link up with Arsenal with Mikel Arteta viewing him as a player who can help his side mount another Premier League title challenge and push Manchester City even further next season.
City hauled back the Gunners in a thrilling title duel before sealing a historic treble with FA Cup and Champions League success.
Given City’s dominance, Carragher suggests Pep Guardiola’s side are the only team that can guarantee success for players on the move this summer but is convinced Rice will allow Arsenal ‘to step up another level.’
‘It is difficult with Declan Rice, and I think Harry Kane falls into this one too, they are at clubs that probably aren’t going to challenge for the Premier League or Champions League,’ Carragher, who appears alongside Gary Neville and Roy Keane on The Overlap on Tour this week, told Metro.co.uk.
Arteta believes Rice can help his side reach the next level (Picture: Getty)
‘But unless you go to Man City, there is no guarantee you are going to come out with trophies that you want.
‘But you want to give yourself the opportunity and the tough question for Arsenal heading into next season is whether this was a one off or whether they can be consistent and challenging the biggest sides because it hasn’t happened for a long time.
‘I always felt he [Rice] would end up at Chelsea, but he could go to Arsenal and it could go great for him. He’s a step up from what they’ve got but there is no guarantee he will go onto win the biggest trophies with them.
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‘It is so competitive now. I think he’s at the age now where he has got to go and show himself as one of the outstanding midfielders in European football so he has to make that move.
‘To make that next step, like Jude Bellingham did when he was a bit younger when he joined Dortmund… Arsenal would be a really good fit for him and he will certainly step them up a level.’
The Overlap on Tour airs on Sky Max and Sky Showcase on Wednesday 14th June at 9:00pm with new episodes weekly.
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‘He’s a step up from what they’ve got – it’s a good fit for him’.