June 22, (THEWILL) – Manchester City are poised to submit an initial bid for West Ham midfielder, Declan Rice, on Thursday. This comes after Arsenal’s record-breaking offer of £90 million including add-ons, was rejected earlier this week.
However, it is believed that Arsenal are edging closer to the desired fee set by West Ham, should they decide to part ways with their captain. Reports monitored by THEWILL earlier indicated that Man City were actively exploring a potential approach for the 24-year-old, and the English Premier League champions are now prepared to make an official bid.
While City’s pursuit of Rice is underway, they are also on the verge of finalising a deal for Chelsea midfielder, Mateo Kovacic. Additionally, Barcelona is nearing a move to sign Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer from the Etihad. Nevertheless, Rice remains Arsenal’s primary target this summer, with manager Mikel Arteta prioritising reinforcements in the midfield department. West Ham chairman David Sullivan conceded that Rice had played his final game for the club, stating that the player himself had revealed his desire to leave.
Rice’s contract with West Ham is set to expire in 2024, although there is an option for a one-year extension. Known for his expertise in disrupting opposition attacks, Rice has established himself as one of Europe’s finest players in this position. His ability to regain possession and carry the ball forward seamlessly transitions defensive play into attacking opportunities. The 24-year-old’s exceptional reading of the game, characterised by innate anticipation, precise timing, and effective decision-making, sets him apart.
Playing in West Ham’s typical 4-2-3-1 formation, Rice often partners with Tomas Soucek in midfield. He fulfills a crucial role in building up play from the back, forming a defensive triangle and providing a constant outlet for passes. However, his true strength lies in breaking up play, preventing counter-attacks from breaching West Ham’s midfield. These are the attributes that have brought managers with similar coaching tactics such as Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta asking for his signature.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
