Manchester City bid £80 + £10 including add-ons for Arsenal target Declan Rice
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Manchester City is determined to win the race for the signature of highly sought-after midfielder Declan Rice
The Premier League champions have made an official bid for the West Ham United player, aiming to outmaneuver Arsenal in securing the coveted summer deal.
According to The Athletic, Manchester City’s initial offer stands at £80 million, with an additional £10 million in potential add-ons. West Ham has been holding out for a bid of £100 million, having already turned down multiple offers from Arsenal, the highest of which reached £90 million.
Initially, Arsenal appeared to be leading the race to acquire Rice, and the midfielder himself reportedly expressed interest in a move to the Emirates Stadium. However, Manchester City’s sudden interest has left Arsenal concerned. Nevertheless, Arsenal is now said to be preparing a response to Manchester City’s advances, planning to present a fresh offer of their own.
Declan Rice has emerged as a crucial player for West Ham, becoming an integral part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad in recent years. Despite his deep connection and fondness for West Ham, having even captained the team to their first major trophy in over four decades last season, Rice believes that the time has come for him to seek a new challenge elsewhere.
The battle between Manchester City and Arsenal for Declan Rice’s services has intensified, with both clubs eager to bolster their respective squads ahead of the new season. As the negotiations continue, football fans and pundits eagerly await the outcome of this high-profile transfer saga, which has the potential to significantly impact the future of all parties involved.
Despite Declan Rice’s impressive performances for both West Ham United and the England national team, football pundit Graeme Souness has raised doubts about whether he would significantly enhance Arsenal’s midfield. Arsenal finished second in the Premier League last season, trailing behind champions Manchester City by a margin of five points.
Souness expressed his reservations during an interview with talkSPORT, stating, “If you’re looking for a top, top midfield player, I don’t believe he has enough clever passing in him to be that.” While acknowledging Rice’s athleticism and ability to sense danger on the pitch, Souness questioned whether the midfielder possesses the vision and precision required for intricate passing and playmaking.
However, Souness did acknowledge Rice’s strengths, noting that he is a diligent and athletic player who can position himself well defensively, anticipating the intentions of opposing players. This ability to read the game and disrupt the opponent’s attacks is a valuable trait for a central midfielder.
Souness’s analysis highlights a difference in opinion regarding Rice’s qualities and the extent to which he can elevate a team like Arsenal. Evaluating a player’s suitability for a particular club involves considering various factors, including playing style, tactical requirements, and the dynamics of the existing squad.
Ultimately, the decision to pursue Declan Rice and whether he would be a significant asset to Arsenal lies with the club’s management and coaching staff. They must weigh the opinions of pundits and experts while conducting their own assessments to determine if Rice’s skill set aligns with their vision for the team.
The West Ham star looks set to cost around £100m
‘So he’s got that instinctively, but what he doesn’t have is cute and clever passes when he gets into the last third.
‘I think he’s a little bit predictable when he gets on the ball personally.’
Asked if Rice’s game will improve playing at Arsenal, Souness added: ‘He’d make Arsenal better. Would he personally get better? Not sure.’
