Manchester City to Mount Intense Bid for Declan Rice, West Ham Captain, Amid Arsenal's Failed Attempts

Manchester City is poised to join the competition in securing the signature of Declan Rice, the captain of West Ham. According to reliable sources, two substantial offers, including one from the reigning Premier League champions, are anticipated to be submitted on Thursday.

City are reportedly willing to shell out a staggering £75m, along with an additional £15m in bonuses spread over a two-year period, to acquire Rice, according to Sky in Italy. This move comes as City prepare for the departure of their treble-winning captain, Ilkay Gundogan, who is said to be on the brink of joining Barcelona. Despite having already secured a deal with Chelsea for Mateo Kovacic, City are keen on bringing in the English international.

Manchester City, who emerged victorious over Arsenal in the previous Premier League season, are now eager to secure the signing of Rice before their rivals do.

As Arsenal's initial two bids have been turned down, they are currently preparing a third offer for Rice.

Positive negotiations are currently taking place between the London clubs involved, with a focus on finalizing the fee and payment structure of the agreement. Additionally, Manchester United has expressed interest in acquiring Rice, leading to internal discussions on the feasibility of approving the deal.

United may find it challenging to allocate a significant portion of their budget towards a single player, considering the Financial Fair Play regulations. Additionally, they have other positions they aim to reinforce. West Ham has expressed willingness to part ways with Rice during the upcoming summer transfer window; however, they are seeking a substantial fee of £120m in order to approve their captain's departure.

City's interest increases the likelihood of a bidding war between themselves and Arsenal, and the possibility of West Ham's asking price being matched.

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Manchester City set to enter race for West Ham captain Declan Rice

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

Rodri had an outstanding season for Manchester City, starting 52 games and contributing with a crucial goal in the Champions League. At just 26 years old, he has proven to be the Premier League's top defensive midfielder and a favorite of Pep Guardiola. It is evident that Rodri will continue to be a key player for Man City in the upcoming seasons.

So why are the treble-winners so keen on acquiring West Ham's Declan Rice? The reason is that, instead of serving as an alternative, backup, or replacement for Rodri, Rice possesses the qualities to complement the Spaniard perfectly. While Kalvin Phillips has struggled to secure playing time since joining Man City, his fellow England teammate seems to have a pre-established role in Guardiola's starting eleven.

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Rice's ball-carrying ability is a major strength

Rice's exceptional performance in terms of recoveries, interceptions, and distance covered with the ball in the Premier League last season makes him a strong candidate to fill the role alongside Rodri in the defensive midfield. Not only would he excel in breaking up play, but he also possesses the ability to distribute the ball effectively from a deeper position. Furthermore, Rice's previous experience as a center-back adds to his value as he could provide Guardiola with the option to drop back and contribute to the backline if needed.

Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 14 and closes at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?

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