Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has now shared private details of a conversation he had with Arsenal star Declan Rice last summer. 

Declan Rice has enjoyed a successful first season with Arsenal. 

The Gunners shelled out a club record £105 million fee to secure the midfielder’s services from West Ham United in the most recent summer transfer window. 

Rice has since been praised for not letting his price tag weigh him down. Instead, the 25-year-old has played with freedom and has taken his game to a whole new level under Mikel Arteta.

Whilst his first campaign at the Emirates Stadium did not end in glory, as Arsenal narrowly missed out on the Premier League title, the England star certainly lived up to his billing. Rice has also promised that the best is yet to come for Arsenal. 

Rice may well have felt the pressure of his price tag at the start of the season. It would be perfectly natural, after all, for such a fee to play on his mind.

Alan Shearer opens up about conversation with Declan Rice before Arsenal move

However, Alan Shearer was struck by how relaxed the England star was ahead of his move. 

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, he said: “I saw him last pre-season in a restaurant in Portugal, and he was with a couple of his pals and he came over and had a chat. I was saying to him about the season ahead, how much is the price tag, but he was just, like, so relaxed. 

“He was so looking forward to it. I mean, he was on a break, he had loads of energy, he was going back the following morning to sign for Arsenal…I just had a feeling he’s going to smash it this season, and I think that’s exactly what he’s done. He’s been superb…He’s had the complete season.”

Mikel Arteta summer plans could change Declan Rice role at Arsenal

Rice will be desperate to kick on again next season, as the Gunners will be aiming to go one step better than this time around and actually get their hands on the Premier League title.

This summer, Arteta will need to refine his plan for the former West Ham United man. This season, Rice was used as both a No. 6, at the base of the midfield trio, and as a No. 8, in a more advanced role, and excelled in either position.

Arteta will look to add to his midfield contingent this summer. Any signings in this part of the pitch may well decide how Rice is deployed next season.