Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale sends Instagram message to Declan Rice amid England announcement

Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale sent a message to Declan Rice on Instagram after the pair arrived for England duty.

Rice joined up with the England camp on Monday, just five days after winning the Europa Conference League with West Ham.

The 24-year-old captained the Hammers to success in Prague in what could be his last competitive game for the club.

Arsenal have been interested in signing Rice since January, assigning him as their priority target, and the Daily Mail reported earlier this month that the Gunners would submit a £90 million bid after the Europa Conference League final.

Writing in his CaughtOffside Substack column, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Arsenal have held 'positive initial talks' over the signing of the West Ham star, but are yet to submit an official proposal to the north London club.

In the meantime, Rice is now on international duty with the Three Lions - and one of his potential future team-mates was quick to react to his arrival.

Ramsdale sends message to Rice

Rice arrived at the England camp on Monday ahead of their upcoming European qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

The West Ham star wasn't obliged to join up with his international team-mates at this stage, as England had granted players involved in European finals extra time off.

But he met with fellow Three Lions stars as preparations begin for the Malta clash, embracing the Arsenal pairing of Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka.

And Ramsdale took to Instagram to react to Rice's arrival, writing: "My boy," alongside a love heart emoji.

Aaron Ramsdale on Instagram pic.twitter.com/rRpcEVCnYV

— Doc (@karthikadhaigal) June 12, 2023

Rice's strong friendships with a number of Arsenal players could impact his decision to move across London this summer - and it is something that the West Ham midfielder has referenced previously.

Writing in his programme notes ahead of the Hammers' clash with Arsenal earlier this season, he said (via Daily Mirror): "[Arsenal] have had a strong season and have now got a real identity to the way they play under Mikel Arteta.

"I obviously know a few of their players from England and they are not only top-class on the pitch but good boys off it."