---
title: "Virals: Declan Rice interacts with Patrick van Aanholt on Instagram"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/05/23/virals-declan-rice-interacts-with-patrick-van-aanholt-on-instagram/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-05-23T07:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-05-23T07:30:00Z"
---

# Virals: Declan Rice interacts with Patrick van Aanholt on Instagram

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/05/22/virals-west-ham-target-tammy-abraham-set-to-leave-chelsea/) midfielder [Declan Rice](https://readwestham.com/2021/05/20/virals-michail-antonio-destroys-declan-rice-on-twitter/) has been interacting with Crystal Palace ace Patrick van Aanholt on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CPJSeEUpOV6/).

The 22-year-old, who has [recently returned](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/may/07-may/team-news-manager-gives-declan-rice-update) from injury, posted an image on the social media application wearing an orange hoody.

Almost immediately Van Aanholt was in the [replies](https://www.instagram.com/p/CPJSeEUpOV6/), pointing out that England star Rice clearly had an admiration for the colour – the same as the Netherlands national team strip.

> Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CPJSeEUpOV6/?utm\_source=ig\_web\_copy\_link

Rice was quick to reply, further referencing the summer and its immediacy – perhaps with a friendly underlying meaning.

Whilst on the face of matters this is simply two professionals chatting on social media – eluding to [facing each other](https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0255-0d9929d9bae9-c143d7348369-1000--uefa-euro-2020-final-tournament-draw-all-you-need-to-know/) in the upcoming Euro 2020 competition.

However, with David Moyes seemingly steadfast on [signing a left-back](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/west-ham-liga-junior-firpo-barcelona) in the near future to offer support for Aaron Cresswell – the Dutchman could just fit the bill.

Out of contract at the [end of the season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-van-aanholt/profil/spieler/52119) and with no sign of a new deal on the horizon, the 30-year-old would be a great fit for the Hammers without delving into the transfer coffers.

Capped [13 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-van-aanholt/nationalmannschaft/spieler/52119/verein_id/3379) by Holland, the full-back has made [22 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-van-aanholt/leistungsdaten/spieler/52119) across all competitions this season for Palace.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Signing the £7.2million [valued](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-van-aanholt/marktwertverlauf/spieler/52119) Van Aanholt for free this summer would have to be regarded as an astute piece of business by the Irons hierarchy.

Albeit perhaps not the younger model who could be regarded as the [long-term Cresswell replacement](https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-west-ham-set-sights-on-jan-signing-pundit-it-may-spell-end-for-cresswell/), between the two they could share the workload more evenly and thus prolong both their careers.

Recruiting squad strengthening options for as little expenditure as possible also frees up cash to spend on an area that [can’t afford to be a bargain buy](https://www.football365.com/news/feature-west-ham-striker-haller-giroud-dembele-king) – a striker.