Arsenal star Declan Rice meets West Ham co-owner Albert ‘Tripp’ Smith at posh private members’ club
DECLAN RICE has been pictured in a secret meeting with West Ham co-owner Albert “Tripp” Smith.
Declan Rice, 25, joined Arsenal in a £105million transfer from the Hammers last summer.
But yesterday Rice was spotted attending a meeting with American billionaire Smith.
It took place at the luxury Oswald’s Members Club in the Mayfair district of London.
The meeting came fresh off the back of the Gunners penalty shootout triumph over Porto in the Champions League last 16, with Rice one of the north London sides scorers in the first half.
He was seen in a black blazer and trousers with a navy blue shirt and crisp white shoes.
Meanwhile, Smith was seen wearing a blue suit with a white shirt and purple tie.
Smith, senior managing director of private equity firm The Blackstone Group, bought a 10 per cent stake in West Ham in 2017 and is a director on the clubs board.
He is the ultimate owner of WHU LLC, who currently own an eight per cent stake in West Ham.
Oswald’s Members Club has attracted patrons such as Princess Anne, Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, according to Tatler.
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Other high profile patrons are said to include the Beckham family, Boris Johnson, co-chairman of the Tory party Ben Elliot, while Prince William is said to have attended a party there in Christmas 2022.
It was established in 2017 by Robin Birley and is still owned by the English businessman.
While the Club have not made it’s fees publicly available, according to Country & Town House, an annual membership at the club starts at £1,800.
Rice has been in fine form for Arsenal this season and has consequently got shouts from some suggesting he could be the Premier League Player of the Season.
Earlier today Rice found out who Arsenal will face in the Champions League quarter-final and, if they win the tie, the semi-final.
The Gunners have been drawn against German giants Bayern Munich, leaving many fans convinced the draw was “fixed”.
Should they manage to overcome Harry Kane and Co they will then face off against one of Real Madrid or Manchester City.
Rice was also called up to Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad yesterday for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
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