"The sense you get..." - Ornstein rates Arsenal's chances of signing Rice, it's great news for the Gunners

Transfer guru David Ornstein reckons it could be a 'toss-up between Arsenal and Chelsea' for Declan Rice's signature this summer.

The pair have already gone head to head this season, with the Blues beating Arsenal to the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk early last month.

The Gunners were forced to look elsewhere, seeing two bids for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo rejected.

Mikel Arteta then opted for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho at the last minute, signing the Italian on transfer deadline day as a stop-gap midfielder.

Arsenal also been heavily linked with West Ham midfielder Rice in the summer, while Chelsea have had a long-standing interest in the 24-year-old.

Rice has been rumoured with a move away from the Hammers ever since he turned down another contract at the club, expressing his desire to play in the Champions League.

Ornstein rates Arsenal's chances of signing Rice

Transfer expert Ornstein reckons it could end up being a "toss-up" between Arsenal and Chelsea, but he is not ruling Manchester United or Manchester City out of the race completely.

Speaking on The Athletic Football Podcast, Ornstein said: “We need to keep an eye on other clubs like Manchester United, who have often been linked with Declan Rice.

"But also, who will be the ownership at the time and are they still in the market to bolster their midfield in a way that we’ve been led to believe in recent years because they’ve been short of top midfield options until the arrival of Casemiro.

"Manchester City – I don’t sense that they’re strong on Declan Rice. But, if Ilkay Gundogan leaves, then clearly there is a need.

"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."

Newcastle 'can offer everything' to Rice

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson thinks Rice could move to Newcastle United, believing that Arsenal's signing of Jorginho could impact them signing another midfielder in the summer.

Robinson told Football Insider: “I could see Rice at Newcastle. I think it is an attractive project for any player right now.

“Rice looks like he is going to leave in the summer. He is not going to sign a new contract so West Ham will have to cash in at some point.

“There is a lot of talk surrounding him and Arsenal but Arsenal have just signed Jorginho.

“If Newcastle get European football, I think that would be enough of a pull.

“Everyone can see the way the club is going. The wages will not be a problem. They can offer Rice everything that he wants. I think Newcastle would be a very tempting proposition for Declan Rice come the summer.”

Topics: Declan Rice, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, West Ham United, Jorginho, Premier League, Football, Transfers, Mikel Arteta

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno