Arsenal-Chelsea toss-up for Declan Rice amid Liverpool interest

Declan Rice is among the midfielders who stand linked with a move to Liverpool. The West Ham United captain is often in the transfer speculation list for Chelsea as well given his Youth Team History with the Blues.

The Cobham Academy Graduate also finds himself on the transfer radar of Chelsea’s arch-rivals Arsenal. His contract at The Hammers ends in 2024 (Transfermarkt) and could be of interest to Liverpool following Fabinho’s poor form in midfield.

Moreover, with a number of contracts also expiring in the summer, a midfield revamp is soon inevitable for the Reds. Alongside Jude Bellingham, Rice is one of the top midfielders whose name pops up with a speculated move to Anfield.

Speaking on the Athletic Football Podcast (h/t Liverpool Echo), David Ornstein weighed in on Rice’s future and his opinion is that it could end up being a toss between either Chelsea or Arsenal for the player, thereby shrinking Liverpool’s chances. Here is what he said:

“It’s just the sense you get, which can of course change, maybe it’s an Arsenal-Chelsea toss-up for Declan Rice, as things stand. The Jorginho deal very much means a high-profile, high-level number six is going to be on the agenda for Arsenal as things stand.”

Could Declan join the Reds?

Rice could be the perfect addition to Liverpool’s squad in their current predicament. The 24-year-old has been in impressive form this season, showcasing his versatility and ability to adapt to different positions. Besides, Rice has the potential to provide the stability that Liverpool are lacking in defence and midfield, making him a valuable asset for the Reds.

Moreover, his versatility allows him to play as a centre-back, defensive midfielder, or central midfielder, which could prove crucial for Liverpool as they look to address their injury crisis and the inconsistency factor added to that.

Likewise added that the Reds are in a transitioning phase, it has become clear that Liverpool need to invest in new talent to ensure they remain competitive. If Jurgen Klopp and Co. believe that the competition from the Londoners might get real, it is very important to take steps towards negotiations from this moment itself.

More Liverpool News:

• Fabrizio Romano claims Liverpool are leading the race for Jude Bellingham
• Liverpool face competition from four other teams for Declan Rice
• Jurgen Klopp urges Liverpool to sign Chelsea star N’Golo Kante

Rice could be just what Liverpool need as they try to fix their problems and rebuild their team. The Englishman has been playing very well and certainly has the potential to become a star player. He could fit perfectly into Liverpool’s plans during this time of change.