Erik ten Hag can ruin Arsenal’s summer by fixing major Man Utd problem

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reviews Bournemouth game

Manchester United could ruin Arsenal’s summer transfer plans by hijacking Mikel Arteta’s interest in Declan Rice. It’s no secret that Erik ten Hag wants a midfielder and a goalscorer before his second season at Old Trafford, so why not kill two birds with one stone?

Rice notched his fourth Premier League goal of the season in West Ham United’s 2-1 win against Leeds United on Sunday.

Around an hour beforehand, the club named him their Player of the Season after another stellar year in the heart of David Moyes’ side.

He is expected to depart this summer after almost 250 appearances. Moyes has confirmed that much.

But it will once again come down to whether a suitor is attracted enough to offer a nine-figure fee. Bidding won’t end below £100million.

And United are reportedly ready to rival Arsenal for his signature, with the pull of Champions League football likely to be confirmed this week.

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Arteta is said to view Rice as a crucial part of his plans for next season as the Gunners go again after late-season heartbreak in the title race.

Granit Xhaka’s impending move to Bayer Leverkusen indicates that the Spanish coach is confident he will upgrade in the coming months.

United entering the frame to complete a deal could throw Arsenal’s summer into turmoil as much as it would boost Ten Hag’s ranks.

It would have to be a club record, surpassing the £89million splashed to bring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford in 2016.

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Of course, whether a rival bid for Rice comes to fruition will depend on United’s success with player sales early in the window.

A striker remains Ten Hag’s primary focus to add goals to his team. Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Goncalo Ramos are among his leading targets.

But stealing a march on Arsenal for Rice would add more goals to his midfield and provide Casemiro with a world-class partner and eventual successor.

There will be more affordable options, but Rice’s availability could be too big an opportunity to miss.

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