Manchester City are expected to enter the race to sign West Ham United midfielder and captain Declan Rice ‘this week’, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter.
Manchester City entering the race would be good news for West Ham – their involvement could spark a bidding war, which would drive Rice’s price up even higher than it already is.
Arsenal have recently had a second bid rejected for the former Chelsea academy prospect – their bid was understood to have come to a total of £90 million. Reports suggest that West Ham will not accept any offers for Rice that are lower than £100 million.
In Romano’s tweet, he wrote: “West Ham are expected to reject 2nd proposal from Arsenal for Declan Rice — £90m total fee, £75m + £15m add ons. West Ham believe £15m add-ons are also difficult to achieve. Hammers still expect Man City to enter the race this week. Arsenal remain confident.”
Who is the most likely to sign Declan Rice at this stage?
As things stand, Arsenal are the club who have been linked the most heavily with a move for Rice in the summer transfer window. Despite this, having failed to agree a transfer fee with West Ham as of yet, the door is still wide open for anyone with the necessary resources to make a move.
Currently, Manchester City appear to be the only other team in that category who still have an interest in the 24-year-old. Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Liverpool have all registered an interest in the layer, but they have all either been priced out or have turned their attention elsewhere.
While City have not submitted an official offer for the player as of yet, it is expected that they will do so soon.
What would Declan Rice add to Manchester City’s squad?
It is unclear what Pep Guardiola has planned for Declan Rice, should he join City in the summer. The Sky Blues already have a world-class defensive midfielder in the form of Rodri – it’s unlikely that Rice will be a mere bench-warmer.
Guardiola may be keen on converting him into a box-to-box player – with his excellent athleticism and brilliant technical ability, it’s hardly far-fetched.