Manchester City could still step in and make an offer for Arsenal transfer target Declan Rice, according to journalist Dean Jones.

It has been widely reported that the Gunners are the favourites to secure the West Ham talisman’s signature and, while Jones doesn’t dispute that, he says there is a small chance that Pep Guardiola’s side may throw a spanner in the works:

“I would describe Rice as 80% sure to join Arsenal as of right now. He loves the idea of it. If it starts to drag on there is a small chance it’s hijacked. If that happens it might be Man City.”

“I don’t think it will happen, but it might. They definitely have made an enquiry after him and if he suddenly has an offer from the Champions of Europe, led by Pep, it’ll be very hard to turn down. But anyway, he’s probably going to Arsenal.”

Jones does seem to be purely speculating so City supporters probably shouldn’t get their hopes up about the treble winners tabling a £100m+ bid for Rice. Despite interest from Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Chelsea, all the signs do suggest that the midfielder is set for a switch to the Emirates.

City are in the market for midfielders

While an approach for Rice remains unlikely, the Citizens are expected to revamp their midfield this summer. With Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva both potentially leaving the Etihad, reinforcements will be required.

Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic looks like a dead cert in terms of a player being signed, but we get into the realms of speculation with regards to other potential targets.

Possible Midfield Options

Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella, Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich, Leicester’s James Maddison and even Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratii have been linked in recent weeks.

Any potential offers for these players, though, will probably depend on the futures of Gundogan and Silva.