Jose Enrique has applauded Arsenal for completing the signing of Declan Rice, who was heavily linked with Liverpool before moving to north London.
Taking to Twitter, the former Anfield defender reacted to the transfer as news broke last night from the Athletic that Arsenal had agreed personal terms with Rice as well as struck an agreement with West Ham in a deal worth a club-record £105m.
The Mirror reported in May that Liverpool were interested in signing the England international as it became clear that Rice was ready to leave West Ham for a bigger club in the Premier League. Yet as we now know, Arsenal were the side to win the race despite competition from Manchester City.
With Liverpool signing Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for around the same price Arsenal have coughed up for Rice, few fans will be complaining with the Reds missing out on the midfielder, even if Enrique believes that Mikel Arteta’s side have landed a great player.
Liverpool were right to move on from Rice when they had the chance
There’s no denying that Rice would have been a world-class signing for Liverpool had the Reds had the finances to pull off such a deal. However, the Anfield side were more than right to move on from the midfielder when they had the chance.
As we know, Liverpool have spent well this summer in overhauling their midfielder with one more signing expected to be made. And although Rice could have been an incredible addition, the money West Ham were demanding would have made a transfer near-impossible to complete.
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