Football fans are scratching their heads after spotting Declan Rice at a Portuguese training camp in the Algarve, where he was seen working out alongside a slew of Portuguese stars.

Rice, the West Ham captain set to join Arsenal in a blockbuster £105 million transfer, was filmed at The Campus facility—a renowned warm-weather training spot—alongside Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo, and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao. The sight of Rice, who is soon to be an Arsenal player, among these Portuguese national team regulars has sparked a wave of confusion online.

Social media users are baffled by Rice’s presence. Comments include:

• “OK but seriously what is Rice doing with all Portugal national team players?”
• “I understand the three [Leao, Fernandes, Cancelo] are Portuguese, how has Rice found himself there .”
• “This link-up is so weird, what’s Declan Rice doing there? “
• “What a weird linkup Cancelo and Leao I understand but Rice?”

Rice’s appearance in Portugal is a curious one, especially with Arsenal nearing the completion of his signing. His move to Arsenal follows their £65 million acquisition of Kai Havertz from Chelsea and a looming £35 million deal for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.

While the football world speculates about Rice’s unusual training camp companions, the focus remains on his imminent transition to Arsenal and the club’s significant summer recruitment drive.