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Topics: Laura Woods, Declan Rice, Arsenal, Transfers
Ryan Smart
Laura Woods and Ally McCoist have reacted to reports that Arsenal have made West Ham star Declan Rice their top target for the summer transfer window.
The Times' Gary Jacob reported on Monday evening that the Gunners are 'increasingly confident' of defeating competition to land the Hammers midfielder, said to be worth £80 million.
Rice's contract expires in 2024, with the option of a further year, and it is claimed that West Ham may need to sell their star asset in the summer.
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Their Premier League status is also far from secure currently, with the Hammers currently in 18th place on 15 points.
It is also added by the same source that Arsenal think they can beat Chelsea to Rice's signature, given their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League compared to their London rivals.
The Blues have already signed Arsenal targets Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk this January, and are believed to be keen on bringing the England international back to Stamford Bridge after he spent time in their youth system.
On the talkSPORT Breakfast Show, Woods and McCoist both shared the same view on what the signing of Rice would mean to Arsenal - but McCoist couldn't resist jokingly presenting the nightmare scenario for the Gunners.
McCoist began: "Naturally, we'll be picking up the papers tomorrow to see that Declan is away to the Bridge again."
Arsenal-supporting Woods responded: "Ally, I would go and pick him up myself. I'd turn my car on, I'd drive to wherever he lives, I would pack his suitcases for him and put them in the back of the car!"
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"I'm joking," McCoist said. "In all seriousness, what a signing he'd be for Arsenal. What a signing he'd be for anybody.
"It's a statement of intent [from Arsenal], for sure ... I've got to say, there's good noises coming out of Arsenal. Not just on the pitch, obviously they're looking to strengthen, but they're looking to strengthen in the right areas.
"I said yesterday that, middle-to-front, if they get a couple of injuries it could be a telling factor, but Declan Rice, what a statement that would be."