Man City have entered the race to sign Arsenal target Declan Rice. It’s anticipated that Rice would receive two “big” bids, one of which will come from the Premier League champions. After making progress during Thursday’s negotiations, West Ham is moving closer to the amount they desire. For Rice, City is willing to spend £75 million plus £15 million in incentives spread over two years. Gianluca Di Marzio, a reporter, stated on Thursday night that there is optimism that an agreement may be reached and that Rice is getting closer to moving to Manchester City. Ilkay Gundogan, the treble-winning captain of City, is close to joining Barcelona and wants England international Rice despite having already agreed to a deal with Chelsea for Mateo Kovacic. City is prepared for life without Gundogan.
Man City is attempting to outbid Arsenal for Declan Rice after the Citizens defeated the Gunners to win the Premier League title the previous season. After having two bids for Rice rejected, Arsenal is getting ready to submit a third. Positive discussions are reportedly still ongoing between the London clubs, who are reportedly working on the agreement’s price and payment schedule. Manchester United is interested in Rice, and there have been internal conversations regarding whether a transfer might be approved.
Financial Fair Play regulations prevent United from spending a significant amount of their resources on a single player, especially because they have other areas they wish to improve. West Ham has agreed to let Rice go this summer, but they need a deal worth £120 million before they would allow their captain to leave. Due to City’s involvement, there is a greater chance that they will engage in a bidding battle with Arsenal and that West Ham will accept a lower offer.
Rodri started 52 games for Manchester City last season, and his game-winning goal in the Champions League capped an outstanding year for both himself and his squad. He only turned 26 years old, but Pep Guardiola’s favorite and the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League is already slated to be a pillar of the Man City squad for years to come. Why then are the triple champions so desperate to sign Declan Rice from West Ham? The response is that Rice has the qualities to be an excellent counterbalance for Rodri, not an alternative, backup, or replacement. Since joining Man City, Kalvin Phillips has had a terrible time getting into games, but his English teammate looks to have a spot in Guardiola’s starting lineup already.
Rico Lewis, Kyle Walker, and most recently John Stones all moved from out-of-possession defensive roles into midfield to play with Rodri during the previous season. Guardiola used a clever tactical move that gave player City an additional player in that crucial area of the pitch, and it paid off handsomely. By the conclusion of the season, teams all around the league were attempting to duplicate it, which was a sign of its success.
Rice, who led the Premier League in recoveries, interceptions, and carrying the ball the longest last season, could step into the position with confidence. He would make Rodri’s defensive midfield partner of the highest caliber, capable of both play-breaking and deep-ball delivery. Then there is Rice’s background as a center-back and the versatility that would come with him moving into the backline under Guardiola. For Rice and Man City, it would be an exhilarating transition, but for their competitors, it would be frightening. A Rice-Rodri combo might just raise the Man City engine room to a new level next season with Mateo Kovacic, a £30 million replacement for the departing captain Ilkay Gundogan.
“Arsenal’s top objective is Rice. He is the one that Edu and Arteta have determined is capable of advancing this Arsenal squad via the center of the field. You always want to get a deal, but this seemed like a transaction worth at least £100 million,” Mark McAdam said. “West Ham had offered Rice significant contracts, but Rice preferred to wait and see how events evolved and what chances presented themselves. His competence is undeniable. With Jordan Henderson, he played as a double pivot and put up outstanding performances for England. Everyone will look at West Ham and believe that he deserves the chance to play at the top level, therefore he will go with their support.”
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