Bacary Sagna hopes ARSENAL are already working on a deal to sign Declan Rice from West Ham, especially as it appears as though Granit Xhaka is leaving.

Rice has been West Ham’s most important player in recent seasons and the Hammers want more than £100m to strike a deal, as they know this is the last time that they will be able to get some serious money for their star player.

Granit Xhaka looks like a man that is on his way out of the club and Sagna feels that Rice could be the ideal player to replace the Swiss star – Sagna said: ‘I think Declan Rice would improve under Mikel Arteta, definitely.

‘We saw Xhaka perform in a slightly different role for Arsenal this season, where he had an impact in the offensive part of the field.

‘I think that is where Arsenal would be looking to use Rice if they signed him – I can see him fitting into Xhaka’s role perfectly.

‘I think he would play with more freedom at Arsenal than he currently enjoys at West Ham.

‘He will find himself in situations where he will have the opportunity to add more goals to his game because he will be receiving better service at Arsenal and he will be playing with better players who will be able to find him like Odegaard.

‘I think that the only way for Arsenal to allow Xhaka to leave is by signing Declan Rice.

‘If Xhaka leaves, then I would hope Arsenal may very well have something lined up with Rice.’

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Every ARSENAL fan can relax for a few weeks as the transfer window is not open just yet.

But if Declan Rice is signed – it will send a real statement to the rest of the League that is for sure

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