According to sources, Manchester City intends to rival Arsenal in the pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice by submitting a formal offer.
Arsenal had two bids for the 24-year-old denied earlier this month, the most recent of which totaled £90 million ($114.9 million) and consisted of £75 million ($89.3 million) plus £15 million ($19.1 million) in add-ons.
Pep Guardiola’s side was waiting for Ilkay Gundogan to determine his future before pursuing a new midfielder. They are prepared to act now that he has rejected a new contract to join Barcelona.
West Ham values Rice at more than £100 million ($127.6 million), and Arsenal is anticipated to make a third offer. How much City is willing to offer remains to be seen, but the Premier League champions’ interest will likely increase the asking price.
According to ESPN’s sources, Arsenal was confident that Rice wanted to move to Emirates Stadium. Still, City will test that belief, mainly since they can entice West Ham with a player-plus-cash offer.
It is believed that West Ham manager David Moyes is an admirer of City midfielder Kalvin Phillips. If Rice joins City, Phillips would be behind both him and Rodri in the starting lineup pecking order.
Phillips is reluctant to depart and must be persuaded that he has no future at the club for him to pursue a career elsewhere.
Arsenal have identified Rice as their main midfield target, with personal terms not believed to be an obstacle in negotiations.
It is conceivable, however, that City’s pedigree — having just won the Treble of Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup — will convince Rice to change his mind.
According to reports, Manchester United is also interested in Rice and is contemplating a player-plus-cash offer that could include Harry Maguire or Scott McTominay.
West Ham inquired about Maguire, 30, in January, but he opted to remain at Old Trafford and contend for his position.
