Manchester City are prepared to bid for Declan Rice, with Arsenal perhaps looking nervously on
(Image credit: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Manchester City are preparing a bid for West Ham United captain Declan Rice, with Arsenal having been rejected twice for the Irons skipper.
Rice is thought to be the Gunners' priority target this summer, with Mikel Arteta keen to reshape his midfield ahead of the expected departures of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey. Arsenal's second bid was worth a total of £90 million including add-ons, according toThe Athletic'sDavid Ornstein.
Ilkay Gundogan's departure to Barcelona opens the possibility of Declan Rice joining Manchester City (Image credit: Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Now, Ornstein reports that City would like to add Rice to their side.
This move could see Rice become a replacement in the midfield for Gundogan – but it's possible that Pep Guardiola sees the England international as capable of operating in other positions. Rodri's No.6 role, for example, may be suitable.
Equally, Rice has experience playing centre-back and could function in the role that John Stones made his own last season, breaking from the defence to join in with midfield duties. Guardiola would love to have two players capable of playing such a role in the team.
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Declan Rice is versatile enough for Pep Guardiola to use him in a variety of roles (Image credit: Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Manchester United are also believed to be interested in making a bid – but haven't as yet.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
