Declan Rice sends Jack Grealish an eight-word message as clear transfer instructions for Arsenal
Arsenal transfer news: Declan Rice congratulated by England team-mate Jack Grealish on his recent success at Manchester City
West Ham captain Declan Rice is one of many players to congratulate Jack Grealish after his Champions League win with Manchester City on Saturday. The England international was part of the City squad that made history this season by winning the treble.
They first secured the Premier League by beating Arsenal to the title, before adding a second trophy of the campaign to their cabinet with an FA Cup win over Manchester United. The last stop was the Champions League, where they faced Inter Milan in an opportunity that proved difficult for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Both sides had their chances, but it was Rodri’s strike that was the deciding factor in Istanbul as the Cityzens completed the hat-trick. Fresh off the action, Grealish took to Instagram where he posted a picture of himself holding the Champions League trophy.
The caption read: “Champions League… Treble, stuff I couldn’t even dream of. Wow.” Many former and current players took to the comments to offer their congratulations, but one in particular seemed attract the attention of a few.
It was his England team-mate Declan Rice who said: “What a guy.” I’m so happy for your brother.” The responses saw a battle of words between rival fan bases, particularly Manchester City and Arsenal fans, who urged the 24-year-old to join their club in the upcoming summer transfer window.
football.london understands Rice is a top priority for the Gunners in the coming weeks, with Mikel Arteta looking to redefine their ranks in midfield. City are yet to be linked to a deal for the West Ham captain but many fans have urged him to make the move anyway.
The 24-year-old’s future is uncertain, with just two years left on his Hammers contract and chairman David Sullivan says a departure is likely. Arsenal are reportedly making a £90m offer to open proceedings, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich linked. soccer london
Declan Rice sent a message to Jack Grealish
West Ham captain Declan Rice was among many players to congratulate Jack Grealish after his Champions League win with Manchester City on Saturday. The England international was part of the City side that made history by winning the treble this season.
They first lifted the Premier League by beating Arsenal for the title before bringing a second trophy of the season to their cabinet with an FA Cup win over Manchester United. The last stop was the Champions League where they faced Inter Milan which proved difficult for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Both teams had their chances but it was Rodri’s strike that made the difference in Istanbul and the Cityzens completed the hat-trick. Fresh off the back, Grealish took to Instagram where he posted a photo of himself holding the Champions Leaguetrophy.
The caption reads: ‘The Champions League… The treble, things I couldn’t even dream of. Wow’. Many players, past and present, used the comments to congratulate them, but one in particular seemed to capture the attention of only a few.
It was from England teammate Declan Rice, who said: ‘What a guy. I’m so happy for your brother.” The responses saw a battle of words between rival fan bases, particularly Manchester City and Arsenal fans, who urged the 24-year-old to join their club in the upcoming summer transfer window.
football.london understands Rice is a top priority for the Gunners in the coming weeks, with Mikel Arteta looking to redefine their ranks in midfield. City are yet to be linked to a deal for the West Ham captain but many fans have urged him to make the move anyway.
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The 24-year-old’s future is uncertain, with just two years left on his Hammers contract and chairman David Sullivan says a departure is likely. Arsenal are reportedly making a £90m offer to open proceedings, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich linked. READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Deal done, Neymar talks, Rice boost, Gundogan twist, Saliba contract
Grealish’s recent win only reinforced a claim Rice also made at the World Cup when he spoke of his desire to play at the top. “I want to play 100% in the Champions League,” the midfielder said in December 2022 when asked about the competition and his future.
“I’ve been saying that for two or three years. I’ve always played well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing. I see my friends here playing the Champions League and fighting for big trophies. “You only have one career and at the end of the day you want to look back on your wins and the greatest games you’ve played.” For Rice, he is another teammate who has won a major trophy and this summer he has the opportunity. to win one, make changes and enter this contest yourself.
However, whether it’s Arsenal, Manchester United, Bayern Munich or even Manchester City, that big move remains to be seen.
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Express Sport brings you up to date with all the latest transfer news, gossip and done deals on Friday, June 9.
We are now just five days out from opening of the summer transfer market but that hasn’t stopped a number of clubs from pouncing on targets in a bid to get their business wrapped up early. On Thursday, Liverpool unveiled their first summer capture in the form of Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister and there is already optimism that more arrivals will follow the World Cup winner through the door in due course.
There are so many intriguing factors in play this summer in the Premier League which could become more competitive than ever next season.
Champions Manchester City are already working on arrivals behind the scenes as they prepare for Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are ready to launch a club-record bid for Declan Rice after West Ham’s Conference League triumph in Prague in a bid to beat Bayern Munich to the punch.
Manchester United are already making plans to sign a striker while Newcastle are looking to invest once again following their eye-catching return to the Champions League.
Then there is Liverpool, Brighton, Aston Villa, Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham and big-spending Chelsea, who are heading into an exciting new era under Mauricio Pochettino.
So where is everyone shopping? Express Sport has you covered with the latest transfer news on Friday, June 9.
Messi taunted by Aguero over MLS move
Lionel Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer has quickly become one of the most hotly-anticipated transfers in world football. But the Argentina legend will have his work cut out to enjoy the levels of success he is used to this season. The 35-year-old agreed to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami this week after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain was allowed to expire at the end of the Ligue 1 season.
Messi’s former international team-mate Sergio Aguero has recognised the tall order facing his friend and told ESPN Argentina: “I spoke to Messi yesterday. I sent him a message with a screenshot of the Eastern Conference standings and I said, ‘your team is behind. You have to move up to 8th/9th.’ Messi cracked up. He said, ‘we have to make the play-offs.’”
Hudson-Odoi set to be part of Chelsea fire sale
Chelsea could be forced to rue a missed transfer opportunity this summer, with Callum Hudson-Odoi reportedly poised to leave for a bargain fee. Once tipped to be one of the Blues’ future stars, the winger failed to inspire during a recent loan spell with Bayer Leverkusen and he could be among those on the chopping block as Mauricio Pochettino reshuffles his new squad.
A loan spell at Leverkusen yielded only one goal in 21 appearances, and the German outfit are not expected to try and sign the 22-year-old permanently. According to Corriere dello Sport, Hudson-Odoi could be available for just £10million this summer.
Accepting a fee that low would be particularly painful for Pochettino’s Chelsea, who rejected a lucrative offer from Bayern Munich back in 2020. The Bavarian giants tabled a season-long loan proposal with a staggering £70m option to buy Hudson-Odoi, who was a teenager at the time. They also lodged a £30m bid to sign him permanently the year prior.
Raya valuation ‘too high’
Manchester United and Tottenham are said to be in agreement that Brentford’s £40million asking price for David Raya is too high, with both clubs reportedly willing to walk away from negotiations.
Raya has earned rave reviews as part of Brentford’s dream run in the Premier League. But a deal for the goalkeeper could be off the table before negotiations have even fully begun as neither Spurs or United are prepared to bid as high as £40m for the Spaniard, according to the Evening Standard.
Ancelotti ‘troubled’ by Perez’s Real Madrid transfer plan
Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly growing frustrated with the higher powers at Real Madrid due to their reluctance to push on with his personal transfer targets ahead of next season. The Italian is desperate for Los Blancos to put an offer on the table for Tottenham star Harry Kane, though other players are being prioritised despite not being entirely attainable.
Relevo reports that the ex-Everton boss has made it no secret in meetings that he wants Kane to be pursued vigorously. Florentino Perez was present on those occasions and agreed with the demand, but it is reported that he has since had a change of heart.
Everton contract updates as players depart
Everton have offered new contracts to Seamus Coleman, Tom Davies and Andy Lonergan.
Fellow goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has turned down an offer to remain at Goodison Park and will now depart.
Yerry Mina and Andros Townsend are also leaving Merseyside this summer on free transfers.
The Toffees also recently opted against triggering their £4.5m option to buy Conor Coady.
Newcastle budget details emerge
The Mail are reporting that Eddie Howe will have just £75m to spend this summer.
That could potentially be stretched to £100m via player sales but the Magpies need to be careful to ensure they remain in compliance with FFP regulations.
James Maddison has quickly emerged as Howe’s top summer transfer target but Tottenham are also in the hunt for the Leicester playmaker.
Moises Caicedo, Scott McTominay and Conor Gallagher are also among the names on their shortlist.
Newcastle budget details emerge
Done deal: Naby Keita joins Werder Bremen
Liverpool have confirmed midfielder Naby Keita will be joining Werder Bremen on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the month.
The Guinea international midfielder spent five years at Anfield and won seven trophies during his time on Merseyside including the Champions League and Premier League.
Keita is understood to have taken a significant pay-cut to pursue a return to Germany where he previously featured for RB Leipzig before joining the Reds for £52.75million in the summer of 2018.
His departure – alongside the exits of James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – have sparked Jurgen Klopp’s summer midfield rebuild with Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram among the targets of interest following the signing of Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister
Roca heading for Leeds exit door
Real Betis are upping their interest in Leeds midfielder Marc Roca.
That’s according to Relevo, who say the La Liga outfit are already working on a deal to sign the Spanish midfielder.
He only joined the Whites last summer from Bayern Munich but Roca could be available on the cheap following Leeds’ relegation.
The former Espanyol maestro could lead the Elland Road exodus with more team-mates expected to follow him out of the door.
Chelsea in for Lautaro
The Times are reporting that Chelsea are now targeting Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez.
The Argentine has been in breathtaking form of late, helping fire Inter to the Champions League final with a second-leg winner against AC Milan.
Martinez also notched twice for Inter in their 2-1 Coppa Italia triumph over Fiorentina a few weeks ago.
Real Madrid are also interest having recently lost Karim Benzema to Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad.
Maguire wants United stay
TalkSPORT claim Harry Maguire wants to stick it out at Manchester United decided Erik ten Hag favouring a sale.
Maguire has fallen out of favour this season despite being the club’s captain and may have to look elsewhere if he wishes to play regular football.
But the report claims he wants to fight for his place instead of pursuing a transfer, a decision that is unlikely to prove popular at United.
The Red Devils need to raise cash to spend and Maguire is one of their most sellable assets this summer.
Tottenham have been credited with interest in the Manchester United centre-back.
Mikel Arteta’s next Arsenal transfer priority revealed after key duo agree new deals
Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta has a few options for his next Arsenal transfer priority as William Saliba and Reiss Nelson agree new deals
To be continued…