(Football news) Declan Rice has been linked with a move away from West Ham for the past couple of years. Arsenal have had their eyes on Rice for a long time now but now Manchester City have joined the race. According to reports they offered £75 million + £15 million in add ons which West Ham rejected.
Rice will be open to a move to either club and it may well depend on which club manages to reach an agreement with West Ham first. Arsenal desperately need a midfielder to take them to the next level in order to compete in the Champions League and to lose out on Rice after being favorites for so long would be a disaster.
Granit Xhaka is one step away from joining Bayer Leverkusen next season so midfield is the obvious position where Arsenal need reinforcements. Thomas Partey is not guaranteed to stay either as Juventus and Saudi clubs are both interested in signing him. Declan Rice has been one of the best midfielders in England for the past couple of years.
He has become the captain of West Ham and a regular starter for England at the age of just 24. He has the potential to become an even better player in the future. He would fit Arsenal’s plans perfectly as it is a team with some incredible young players at the core but Manchester City will be tough to reject.
It is definitely time for Rice to make a move to a bigger club, especially after winning a trophy with West Ham. Manchester City will lose Ilkay Gundogan next season as he is set to join Barcelona. City are set to sign Mateo Kovacic but Rice is also an option. However, the issue for Rice is that he will have to compete with Rodri for the CDM position.
Rodri is possibly the best in the world so that might force Rice to rule out Manchester City as a destination. At this point in his career, Arsenal makes much more sense but if Pep Guardiola wants him then he is more than likely to oblige. Manchester City know how to get deals like this done, so Arsenal will be looking to push harder.
Also read: Arsenal agree £65 million with Chelsea to sign Kai Havertz
