In a dramatic turn of events, Manchester City appears to be upending Arsenal's chase for West Ham's star midfielder, Declan Rice. The England international, valued by West Ham at £100m, has been Arsenal's top midfield target since January, yet their latest £90m bid, structured as staggered payments, did not meet the club's valuation.
However, Arsenal's prolonged negotiation has opened a window for Manchester City. The recent transfer of Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona has necessitated this move, despite City's recent addition of Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic for £30m. As per David Ornstein from The Athletic, City is preparing to submit an initial offer for Rice.
Fabrizio Romano, a respected transfer expert, revealed that Rice is open to any move, despite reports suggesting that Arsenal was his first choice due to his desire to remain in London. Romano tweeted, "Manchester City have decided to bid for Declan Rice after calling West Ham last Friday. #MCFC Man City also checked player's side - understand Rice is open to any move, so deal depends on the clubs now."
Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy weighed in on the ongoing saga. He expressed that the choice between City and Arsenal should be a "no-brainer" for Rice. "London is his home, it's where he's grown up, it's where his family is, but as a football decision, it would be a no-brainer to join the Premier League champions," Murphy said.
Despite the escalating transfer drama, some question whether Rice is the player Arsenal needs to improve their squad. The club has been known to miss out on top targets due to a commitment to underbidding selling clubs, leading to speculation on whether Rice is the best possible addition or a repeat of past mistakes.
As the summer transfer window heats up, the final decision lies in the hands of the clubs and Rice himself. For Arsenal, this situation presents a familiar challenge - to meet the selling club's valuation and secure their top target, or risk losing him to a competing bid. As for Manchester City, the potential acquisition of Rice could significantly bolster their midfield, just in time for the upcoming Premier League season.
While the outcome is uncertain, one thing is clear: Rice's future will be one of the key narratives defining this transfer window.
