Declan Rice Arsenal conspiracy theory emerges amid Man City and Chelsea transfer updates

There’s a new theory behind the Declan Rice saga as Arsenal work hard to tie down a record-breaking youngster.

The addition of Chelsea forward Kai Havertz to the Arsenal roster is a move that will excite Gunners fans.

The German hasn't had the best of times of late at Stamford Bridge but comes with a real pedigree and supporters will hope that Mikel Arteta will get the best out of the forward.

Havertz is going through the medical process and, as and when he puts pen to paper, Arteta and co. will move on to the next deal. Here are the latest Arsenal transfer rumours.

Pundit theorises that Man City and Arsenal are working together on Declan Rice bid

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City may only be bidding for Declan Rice as a favour to Arsenal.

That's according to talkSPORT pundit Eni Aluko who has sent football fans into a meltdown at the idea that the Premier League top two may be working together to help the Gunners complete the move.

Aluko suggested that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may have called in a favour from Guardiola to pressure West Ham into acting sooner.

She said: “I think there’s a lot of cat and mouse going on here. As a sporting director, I used to do this a lot.

“I used to call up a club, a big club, and say, ‘right can you put a bid in’ and that would basically force my owner to put a higher bid in.

“I don’t think Manchester City actually want to sign Declan Rice, I think what’s going on is Arteta has picked up the phone to Pep [Guardiola] and said ‘listen, Arsenal are going to do the incremental bid approach, if you put a higher bid in, that will push my owner.”

Chelsea and Man City ready to pounce on Arsenal youngster

Chelsea and Manchester City are ready to fight for Ethan Nwaneri this summer if the record-breaking youngster decided to ignore a contract offer from Arsenal.

Nwaneri become the youngest-ever Premier League player last season when subbed on at the age of 15 years and 181 days during a 3-0 win over Brentford.

Nwaneri made his professional debut at 15 years old. (Image: Getty Images) placeholder image
Nwaneri made his professional debut at 15 years old. (Image: Getty Images) | Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The midfielder is touted as the next big thing but, according to the Evening Standard, his schoolboy registration at Arsenal runs out on Friday.

Mikel Arteta, academy manager Per Mertesacker and sporting director Edu have worked together to put an 'attractive offer' to Nwaneri, who can't sign a professional contract until he is 17 in March 2024.

Should he choose to look elsewhere, the young talent has suitors in the Champions and Chelsea.

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