Football Transfer News: Arsenal enters Declan Rice race, Man Utd agree on loan deal for Vincent Aboubakar

In Football Transfer news, Mikel Arteta gives green light to pursue Chelsea target Delcan Rice. Manchester United have agreed a loan deal for Al Nassr striker, Vincent Aboubakar.

Blues face Arsenal in competition for Declan Rice

Chelsea could face competition from Arsenal for the signature of Declan Rice, according to Ben Jacobs.

The English midfielder is expected to leave West Ham United this summer, and the Blues are eager to take him back to Stamford Bridge. New manager Graham Potter is planning to revamp the midfield amid the uncertainties surrounding the future of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho.

The London giants have set their sights on Rice as an option and are hoping to rectify their mistake of letting the player leave as a teenager. In his column for Caught Offside, Jacobs said that Arsenal could be better placed than Chelsea in the race for the 23-year-old.

"Sources have said on multiple occasions that Rice would like to stay in London, which opens the door to both Arsenal and Chelsea, perhaps more so than Manchester United. Rice, personally, is ready for a new challenge, and he's spoken positively about Arsenal, praising Mikel Arteta," wrote Jacobs.

He added:

"Having said that, I don't think it's Champions League or bust for Rice. Chelsea have an ambitious project built around young players that they want for the long-term, and I think that will trump something like Champions League football. Still, the Champions League does affect a club's budget, it can stop you getting more than one marquee signing."

Rice has appeared 23 times across competitions for the Hammers this season, registering one goal and two assists.

Football Transfer News: Man Utd has a loan deal in place Aboubakar

Manchester United have reportedly reached an agreement with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr to sign striker Vincent Aboubakar on loan.

The Red Devils are in the market for a new centre-forward after terminating Cristiano Ronaldo's contract at the end of last month, with the 37-year-old having since linked up with Aboubakar at Al-Nassr.

Aboubakar, formerly of Porto and Besiktas, has spent the last 18 months with Al-Nassr and has scored 13 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions, including four strikes in 12 games so far this season.

The 30-year-old recently captained Cameroon at the 2022 World Cup and scored a memorable goal in a surprise 1-0 group-stage win over Brazil.

A recent report claims that Man United have been 'alerted' by Aboubakar's availability, with Al-Nassr prepared to let the experienced striker leave on loan.

Al-Nassr have exceeded the limit for non-Saudi Arabian players in their first-team squad following the arrival of Ronaldo and they cannot register the Portuguese legend until one of their remaining seven foreign players leaves the club.

According to Saudi Arabian news outlet OKAZ, the Red Devils and Turkish giants Fenerbahce have an agreement in place to take Aboubakar on loan, with the striker expected to favour a move to the Premier League.

Aboubakar's potential temporary switch to Old Trafford would not only strengthen Erik ten Hag's options in attack, but would also allow Ronaldo to be officially registered by Al-Nassr.

Prior to the World Cup, Aboubakar spoke highly of his own abilities and believes he can perform a better level than Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah.

Asked about Salah during an interview with @90football.Fr, Aboubakar said: "I understand people's attitudes, he's one of the best goalscorers in the Premier League.

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