Arsenal to 'send statement to every club in world football' with Declan Rice 'mega-money signing' - Agbonlahor
Gabby Agbonlahor has backed Arsenal to sign West Ham star Declan Rice over Brighton's Moises Caicedo this summer amid interest in both midfielders.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed a move for Rice, 24, "would be a statement to every other club in world football".
Sources told this site on Tuesday (7 March) that Arsenal are among the Premier League sides still chasing Brighton star Caicedo despite him signing a new contract until 2027 earlier this month.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 20 February that the Gunners lead the race for Rice – and are in sustained contact with the midfielder’s representatives amid competition from Man United.
Both players have been extensively linked with moves to big-six clubs in the last 12 months and have thus been slapped with price tags of around £100million by their respective clubs.
Arsenal lead Man City in the race for the Premier League title and are inching closer to a first league win in 20 years.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think Rice would a better option than Caicedo.
“He’d add more steel into that squad. He could be Arsenal’s Rodri.
“Jorginho isn’t long-term, so I think Rice would be a great, mega-money signing.
“It would be a statement to every other club in world football. They can put a marker down, letting everyone know that they can get the big players, letting everyone know that they are back.
“It would prove that players are willing to choose Arsenal over the other teams in the top four.
“It could be a really big moment for Arsenal.”