Keane says Arsenal paid way too much for Rice after forking out £105M| SolSportHQ

Roy Keane believes Arsenal paid ‘way too much’ for Declan Rice after the Gunners splashed out £105million to West Ham for the midfielder.

Rice completed his record-breaking deal that made him the most expensive English signing in Premier League history when he agreed to join Mikel Arteta’s side midway through July.

His presence adds a new dynamic to Arsenal’s midfield as they attempt to go one better next season by winning the English top-flight title, but former Manchester United captain Keane is doubtful over whether the 24-year-old has the ‘quality’ to justify his huge transfer fee.

Speaking prior to kick-off as Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Community Shield, Keane told ITV: ‘He’s [Rice] obviously going to be surrounded by better players.

‘Different demands, if he’s going to play a little bit higher up the pitch if he’s got that quality in terms of getting more goals. He’s obviously got that physical strength.

‘They’ve paid way to much for him, Declan Rice, he’s obviously not worth over £100m,’ he added.

Lead presenter Mark Pougatch attempted to add balance by explaining similar sceptics followed Trevor Francis to Nottingham Forest when he became the first English player to break the £1million transfer buffer in 1979.

But, Keane – although believing Rice improves Arsenal – maintained a level-headed approach that puts the pressure on the English talent to prove his doubters wrong.

‘You can say that with lots of players I agree but again we’ll find out over the next year or two how good Declan is,’ he added.

‘He turns up every week. He’s a big strong boy and we talk about physicality and they lacked that in the last month or two has he got that real top quality in terms of seeing that pass and getting nine ten goals we’ll soon find out.’

Chelsea’s title-winning women’s boss Emma Hayes admitted she also believes Rice will have to start contributing more to attacks than he did at West Ham where he was mainly used in a defensive role.

She added: ‘[Rice is a]Top player but I think we’re going to see something different it’s not just about his physicality he is going to have to make those final passes because he’s going to be part of a team that is going to have the ball more of the time and there’s going to be more expectation.

‘I think with Kai Havertz coming into the team as well I think you’re going to see different dynamics from Arsenal in their central areas.’