Tottenham legend at pains to point out why £75m midfielder would ‘walk’ into current Arsenal side

Tottenham legend Teddy Sheringham has painfully admitted that a top Arsenal midfield target would be a sensational signing for the Gunners this summer.

Mikel Arteta remains interested in bringing West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice to The Emirates come the end of the season and Rice once again showcased all his talents in a famous Three Lions win over Italy in Naples on Thursday evening.

Gareth Southgate’s side opened their Euro 2024 qualification campaign with 2-1 victory, with Rice netting the opening goal.

The Hammers star then showed all his battling qualities as England had to hold on for the victory over the team that defeated them in the Euro 2020 final.

Arteta is actively looking to bring in another top midfielder this summer. Indeed, he missed out on trying to strike a deal for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo back in January.

Experienced Italy star Jorginho eventually arrived from Chelsea but the 31-year-old is not considered a long-term signing.

To that end, Arsenal are still monitoring Rice‘s situation at The London Stadium. However, both Manchester United and Chelsea are also expected to do business in Rice becomes available.

Rice tipped to make Arsenal a better team

The Hammers currently value the 24-year-old at between £75-80million. But Sheringham believes the combative midfield would be worth every penny.

He told talkSPORT: “You put him up against other top players and the complete midfield player would be able to defend, tackle, run forward but score goals as well.

“If you add a couple of goals to Declan’s game, maybe not a couple, if you add six or seven goals to Declan Rice’s game with what he’s got at the moment all of a sudden you’re talking about an absolute world beater of a player.

“Wherever he goes he’s going to make that team a better team. Maybe Casemiro is in that role at Manchester United so perhaps they don’t need him.

“But he would definitely make Arsenal a better team. I don’t like to say it but they’re already good enough this season and I don’t want to see Declan go there because he will make them a better team.

“He could walk into any team”.

Rice is expected to start again for the Three Lions when they host Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Premier League leaders Arsenal are not back in action until April 1 when they host Leeds United.

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