West Ham are ready to test Harry Maguire's determination to stay at Manchester United. Credit: AFP/PAUL ELLIS
West Ham will target Harry Maguire after Declan Rice completed his £105m move to Arsenal and became the most expensive British player in Premier League history.
< p>Rice's arrival means Arsenal's summer spending has topped £200m and the 24-year-old believes Mikel Arteta's side will «have to stop a bit» as he stated last season's runners-up could win both Premier League as well as the Champions League.
And West Ham are now poised to test Maguire's determination to stay and fight for his place at Manchester United.
United captain Maguire fell out of the pecking order at Old Trafford last season under Erik ten Hag, but he is believed to be happy at the club and believes he can return to the team.
However, he is also in on David Moyes' wanted list for a centre-back, although the east London club would prefer a loan deal over a permanent deal. at this stage.
Maguire is trailing World Cup winners Lisandro Martinez and Rafael Varane in United's centre-back pecking order, with Victor Lindelof also in contention for a spot under Ten Hag. He was also hampered by injury last season and played with broken ribs at one point in the campaign.
England manager Gareth Southgate backed Maguire, but the first-team regular football offer is pushed back to next summer's European competition. The championships will leave the 30-year-old with a major decision to make about his future.
Rice, however, was delighted after he finally completed his move to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, putting an end to the persecution that lasted over six months.
Declan Rice has become the most expensive British player in Premier League history since joining Arsenal for £105m. Photo: Getty Images/Stuart MacFarlane
The midfielder has signed a five-year contract until summer 2028 with an option for a further year and has said he wants to spend his «best years» at the Emirates Stadium as he rises to the challenge of restoring the club to the top. An English game under Arteta.
He arrived at the club after taking charge of West Ham earlier this summer and conquered the glory in the European Conference League, and told Arsenal's official website: . But my ambition now is to win again with Arsenal. I think this fanbase deserves it.
«There were FA Cups, Community Shields, but now it's time to go one step further and win the Premier League, win the Champions League and I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe it. I believe in this team. I believe in the coach.
“We have very good energy and when everyone is moving in the right direction, Arsenal will need to stop. So I'm looking forward to this journey.»
Rice's arrival has boosted Arsenal's summer spending to around £200m as they have already completed deals to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea (£65m). ) and Yourrien Timber from Ajax (£39m).
“Now I have joined us, we have other contracts, we want to bring Arsenal back to the big times, to the victories,” Rice said.
“With Mikel and his work, the squad, how much young, the energy around the club and the challenge of getting Arsenal back to where they belong means a lot to me.
“I know the fans really want it. As a player, I came here very hungry to achieve more success and spend my best years at this great club.”
On the influence Arteta Rice added: “He plays a huge role in why I came here. I know he will bring the best out of me. I know I need to get one more level up in the game and I feel like he is the manager who is taking me to those next levels. I am very happy to work with him.”
Rice was signed primarily as a defensive midfielder and Arsenal expect him to be an even better player than he was at West Ham and for England. in recent seasons.
West Ham previously confirmed the 24-year-old's departure from the club, and Rice wrote an emotional open letter to club fans.
Declan Rice wrote an open letter to West Ham fans.
— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 15, 2023
With Rice settling in at Arsenal, West Ham will look to make a number of additions to their squad, with centre-back Maguire now targeting them firmly.
Despite his injury struggles, United went on an 11-match winning streak when Maguire was selected as a starter last season, a streak that spanned over six months. However, he was also guilty of a mistake when United were knocked out of the Europa League by Sevilla as the streak came to an end. He spoke of his frustration and, appropriately, Southgate described the suspension of his key centre-back as «concerning.»
Southgate took Maguire's view when he was away from the United side, claiming that his performances during his last five years as the cornerstone of England's defence, he remained in the national team. He reached the semi-finals of the World Cup and the final of the European Championship, and then retained his place in last season's World Cup when his usual place at United was lost.
Despite being on the bench , his closeness to United is also evident in his role as captain seen meeting with non-football staff at Old Trafford, helping with the founding of the club and watching their youth and women's teams from the stands.
Maguire, like others who stayed up late last season, was given extra time before returning to United for pre-season. He was on holiday in Portugal where he trained on his own to make sure he was ready for the new campaign.
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