'A total outlier...' - Premier League winner plays down Arsenal chances of signing key transfer target

One-time Premier League winner Glen Johnson believes that West Ham star Declan Rice will not move to Arsenal this summer.

Rice has been heavily linked with a transfer to Mikel Arteta's side, and The Times reported last month that the England international was the club's priority target for the upcoming window.

It was reported that the 24-year-old could be available for as little as £80 million, although talkSPORT's Jim White claimed earlier this week that West Ham will want £120 million, plus add-ons, to sell Rice.

Should they receive that fee, the deal would be a British record, exceeding the £106.8 million that Chelsea paid to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in January. Rice's contract expires in 2024, although the club have an option to extend it by a further year.

Arsenal, meanwhile, brought in midfielder Jorginho from Chelsea on transfer deadline day this month, but Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has claimed that this will not affect their summer pursuit of Rice and Brighton star Moises Caicedo, who they also attempted to sign in January.

However, former Liverpool and Chelsea defender Johnson does not believe Arsenal will get Rice.

Glen Johnson plays down Declan Rice to Arsenal

Speaking to Betfred, the former England international, who won the 2005/06 Premier League title whilst playing for Jose Mourinho's Blues, explained why he does not rate Arsenal's chances of signing Rice in the summer.

Johnson claimed (via Metro): "I can't see Declan Rice moving to Arsenal in all honesty. Even if Arsenal win the league this season, I'd still be really surprised if they win the league again next season.

"They look great at the moment and things are going really well for them, but this is a total outlier season for them because they've been nowhere near this good previously under Mikel Arteta. Have they turned everything around in six months to be title challengers on a regular basis? I don't believe so."

He went on to expand on his verdict: "Even if Arsenal win the league, I don't believe Declan will move there because the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, three teams who haven't been at their best, are not all going to underperform again next season.

"If two of them can get back to their best next season, then Arsenal are going to be fourth or fifth possibly."