Manchester City have entered ‘advanced talks’ to sign West Ham’s Declan Rice ahead of long-time suitors Arsenal.
Sky in Italy’s Gianluca Di Marzio is reporting treble-winners City are determined to beat Arsenal to the signing of the 24-year-old Hammers captain, despite only entering the race to sign him at the 11th hour.
On Thursday, it was reported that City will be prepared to pay £75m plus an additional £15m in bonuses payable across two years for Rice.
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City are preparing for life without captain Ilkay Gundogan, who is on the verge of joining Barcelona, and want England international Rice despite already agreeing a deal with Chelsea for Mateo Kovacic.
Having beaten Arsenal to last season’s Premier League title, Manchester City are now hoping to pip the Gunners to Rice’s signature.
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The Guardian’s Jonathan Liew and The Times’ Tom Roddy discuss the latest transfer news around the race to secure Declan Rice by top clubs Man City and Arsenal
Arsenal remain in talks with West Ham over the signing of Rice and are preparing to make a third bid after seeing two offers rejected.
It is understood positive negotiations are continuing between the London clubs, who are said to be working on both the fee and payment structure of the deal.
Manchester United have an interest in Rice and there have been discussions internally about how possible it would be to sanction a deal.
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As speculation mounts over Declan Rice’s future, we take a look at his best Premier League moments for West Ham
Due to Financial Fair Play rules, it is unlikely United could spend a huge portion of their budget on one player – especially as they have other areas they want to strengthen.
West Ham have agreed to let Rice go this summer but want a deal worth £120m if they are to sanction 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.
Analysis: Rice alongside Rodri would give Man City even more midfield control
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith:
Rodri started 52 games for Manchester City last season, capping a brilliant campaign for both himself and his team with the Champions League match-winning goal. He has only just turned 26 years old and the Premier League’s top defensive midfielder and Pep Guardiola favourite is set to be a mainstay of the Man City team for seasons to come.
So why are the treble-winners so eager to bring in West Ham’s Declan Rice? The answer is that rather than being an alternative, back-up or replacement for Rodri, Rice has the attributes to be an ideal foil for the Spaniard. Kalvin Phillips has struggled badly for game time since joining Man City but his England team-mate appears to have a ready-made role in Guardiola’s XI.
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Rice’s ball-carrying ability is a major strength
During the past season, we saw Rico Lewis, Kyle Walker and most recently John Stones step into midfield from out-of-possession defensive positions to play beside Rodri. It was a tactical ploy by Guardiola which paid off handsomely, giving Man City an extra man in that key area of the pitch. Its success was reflected by the fact teams throughout the league were trying to replicate it by the end of the season.
Rice – top for recoveries, interceptions and distance carrying the ball in the Premier League last season – could take on the role with authority. He would be a first-class defensive midfield partner for Rodri, able to break up play but also deliver from deep on the ball. There is then Rice’s history as a centre-back and the flexibility he could offer Guardiola by dropping into the backline.
It would be an exciting switch for Rice and Man City – and an ominous one for their rivals. With Mateo Kovacic a £30m replacement for the outgoing captain Ilkay Gundogan, a Rice-Rodri combination could just take the Man City engine room up a level again next season.
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