Blockbuster Transfer Alert: Manchester City's Jaw-Dropping £90m Bid for Declan Rice Unveiled, Arsenal Readying Third Offer!

Manchester City has submitted a bid of £90m for West Ham United's captain, Declan Rice. After securing last season's Premier League title ahead of Arsenal, Manchester City is now aiming to outdo the Gunners in securing Rice's services.

The offer breaks down as £80m up front plus £10m in add-ons.

The bid is short of West Ham's valuation and early indications suggest it will be rejected.

Arsenal is actively pursuing the signing of Rice, as West Ham anticipates their submission of a third bid, following the rejection of two previous offers.

In the upcoming transfer window, Rice will depart West Ham, having led the club as captain to their first European trophy in 58 years.

Hammers chairman David Sullivan stated that despite having a year left on his contract with an option to extend it for another 12 months, Rice is allowed to leave due to a gentleman's agreement. Rice, who joined West Ham's academy from Chelsea as a teenager, has been an integral part of the team since his breakthrough season in 2017-18 and even assumed the captaincy following Mark Noble's retirement last year.

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At the age of 24, he participated in 50 matches across various competitions this season, contributing to West Ham's 14th place finish in the Premier League and ultimately securing the Europa Conference League title in Prague. With over 200 appearances for West Ham and 41 international caps for England since his debut in 2019, Rice has established himself as a seasoned player.

Manchester United are interested in Rice and have internally discussed the feasibility of approving a deal. However, considering the Financial Fair Play regulations, it is improbable for United to allocate a significant portion of their budget to a single player, particularly since they have other positions they intend to reinforce.

West Ham have given approval for Rice to leave this summer, but they are demanding a deal worth £120m in order to allow their captain's departure.

City's interest raises the chances of a competitive bidding war with Arsenal, as well as the potential for West Ham's asking price to be met.

Analysis: Rice alongside Rodri would give Man City even more midfield control

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Rice's ball-carrying ability is a major strength

Meet Peter Smith, the Premier League's top defensive midfielder and a favorite of Pep Guardiola. At just 26 years old, Rodri started 52 games for Manchester City last season. He not only had a brilliant campaign, but also sealed it with a match-winning goal in the Champions League. With his talent and potential, Rodri is poised to become a cornerstone of the Man City team in the years ahead.

This is why the treble-winners are keen on acquiring West Ham's Declan Rice. He is not simply meant to be an alternative or replacement for Rodri, but rather, he possesses the qualities to complement the Spaniard perfectly. Kalvin Phillips has struggled to secure playing time at Man City, but Rice seems to have a pre-defined role in Guardiola's starting eleven.

Throughout the previous season, we witnessed Rico Lewis, Kyle Walker, and more recently, John Stones, shift from their defensive positions to join Rodri in midfield during defensive phases. This strategic move by Guardiola proved highly successful, as it granted Man City an additional player in this crucial area of the field. By the end of the season, other teams in the league were attempting to replicate this tactic, highlighting its effectiveness.

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Content: Rice showcased his versatility and skill on both ends of the field while playing on the left side of West Ham's midfield. In fact, he ranked at the top for recoveries, interceptions, and distance covered with the ball in the entire Premier League last season. With his impressive defensive abilities, Rice could seamlessly partner with Rodri in the midfield, not only breaking up opposition plays but also contributing with accurate long passes. Furthermore, Rice's past experience as a centre-back adds an extra layer of flexibility to his game, as he can easily drop back into the defensive line if needed, offering Guardiola additional tactical options.

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