Declan Rice has been caught on camera getting Martin Odegaard to sign an Arsenal shirt for him after West Ham’s 2-2 draw with the Gunners on Sunday.
Sportsmail revealed in January that Rice has been made Arsenal’s top summer transfer target and looks set to leave West Ham for around £100million once the transfer window opens.
Those reports linking him with a move across London to the Premier League leaders have now intensified after footage shows the England international embracing Arsenal captain Odegaard and getting him to sign a top for him.
Swapping shirts is commonplace between players at full-time but this appears to be a bizarre request by Rice given that Arsenal played in their black away strip and Odegaard is signing a home shirt.
The pair remain dressed in their match kits prior to heading into their respective changing rooms at the London Stadium and converse while Rice holds out the attire for his opponent to sign.
Declan Rice (right) spent time catching up with Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard (left) after Sunday’s 2-2- draw
Rice (left) holds out an Arsenal shirt for Odegaard to sign after the match at the London Stadium
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (pictured) has earmarked Rice as his top summer transfer target
Odegaard happily obliges and smiles as he inscribes a message on the top before they then walk off together with the Norwegian wrapping his arm around Rice’s shoulders.
Supporters of both sides reacted to the signature swapping moment as one West Ham fan stressed that it was no big deal, posting: ‘Why are people making a big deal of this. Rice is a big shirt collector and just wanted a signed shirt from the best attacking midfielder.’
A hopeful Arsenal fan keen to see Rice join the Gunners responded: Tears in my eyes he’s actually coming.
The Arsenal skipper looks in a surprisingly chipper mood despite his side’s second-half capitulation against relegation-threatened West Ham.
Odegaard scored in the 10th minute to make it two-nil before goals from Said Benrahma and Jarred Bowen levelled proceedings and saw Arsenal pegged back for the second consecutive game after previously drawing with Liverpool.
Perhaps his obligation to sign the shirt was a sign of respect for Rice after the 24-year-old produced a midfield masterclass that the likes of Arsenal’s Thomas Partey failed to match.
Rice made the most tackles (four) and interceptions (four) of any player on the pitch in Sunday’s draw whereas Partey didn’t manage any before he was hooked by Arteta in the second-half.
However, Arsenal’s quest to land Rice could be hampered by Newcastle’s interest in the defensive-minded midfielder.
Eddie Howe’s side have the funds available to outbid Arsenal in any transfer battle for Rice and the Newcastle manager refused to rule out pursuing a deal for the West Ham star.
West Ham captain Rice is widely expected to leave his side for a Champions League club in the summer
Rice (middle) and Odegaard (right) head off with arms around each other after the shirt signing
However, Rice will likely be in a position to decide his own future if his current club’s triple-figured valuation is met by interest Premier League parties.
He recently credited West Ham supporters for being the ‘best in the world’ after a vital win over Fulham, but is still expected to leave in the summer.
‘They’re the best, I’ve always said it. Obviously, when things get tough they voice their opinions and you’ve got to take it on the chin, but on the other hand for me, when they’re at it they’re the best in the world, said Rice.
‘I love playing in front of them, they cheer your name, they cheer the team…it is a Saturday afternoon, three points, and you don’t get much better than that,’ he added.
source: dailymail.co.uk
