Martin Keown claims West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is ‘too expensive’ for Arsenal and Liverpool

Martin Keown doubts Arsenal or Liverpool will sign Declan Rice (Pictures: Getty) Martin Keown fears Declan Rice is ‘too expensive’ for Arsenal and says even Liverpool will struggle to raise the funds to sign the West Ham midfielder this summer. Rice is expected to leave West Ham at the end of the season after rejecting multiple offers to extend his stay in east London. The 24-year-old, who has been a key player for England at the last two major tournaments, is attracting interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool. But Keown believes two of those clubs – Arsenal and Liverpool – will be priced out of a move for Rice, who West Ham value at up to £100m. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is keen to sign a new midfielder this summer and failed with multiple bids for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo in January. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is also on the lookout for midfield reinforcements and could focus his attentions on Rice with another target – Jude Bellingham – reportedly closing in on a move to Real Madrid. ‘I think Declan Rice is going to be too expensive for Arsenal, quite frankly,’ Keown told talkSPORT. ‘I think he will be too expensive for Liverpool as well who have been in the Champions League now for a number of years. “I think he’ll be too expensive!” 😱💰 “He’s a player that Arsenal would like, but not with the cost involved. It’s too much!” Martin Keown doesn’t expect #AFC to meet #WHUFC’s asking price for Declan Rice. ❌ pic.twitter.com/Q4cQLyWTpj— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 8, 2023 ‘He’s a player Arsenal will like but not with those costs involved, I think it’s too much. Looking at Arsenal’s business, I don’t think it’s a route they will go down. ‘I don’t think they’ve got the money, even though the Champions League will bring some more revenue. I don’t see him as a player Arsenal can afford to buy.’ The former Arsenal and England defender added: ‘I’m sure Arsenal will be interested but there’s going to be a transfer fee isn’t there and it will be enormous. More: Trending 'He's not good enough!' - Alan Shearer tells Erik ten Hag to sell Man Utd star Rio Ferdinand says it will be a 'disgrace' if Phil Foden wins Premier League this term Mauricio Pochettino wants to sign three players after becoming Chelsea manager ‘West Ham will want to cash in as he runs down his contract. They need to do the right business and take advantage of him. ‘Rice has helped to keep them in the Premier League so he’s done his side of the bargain.’ Rice starred in West Ham’s crucial 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday evening as the Hammers moved seven points above the relegation zone. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Speaking after the win, Rice said: ‘It’s massive. The points it puts us on now put a nice gap between us and the teams at the bottom. ‘There’s still three to go but the significance of the three points is massive. We had our eye on this game as one we could win in front of the home fans. ‘Today, the lads gave absolutely everything and it was a thoroughly deserved win.’ West Ham target former Arsenal midfielder as Declan Rice replacement Gary Lineker makes Arsenal trophy prediction after Newcastle victory For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
https://metro.co.uk/2023/05/08/declan-rice-too-expensive-arsenal-liverpool-transfer-martin-keown-18748901/