Heading 1: Arsenal and Manchester City in a race to sign Declan Rice
Arsenal and Manchester City are currently in a race to sign West Ham’s Declan Rice. The Gunners have made Rice their top target in the transfer window and wanted a deal wrapped up quickly with West Ham. However, negotiations have dragged on now to the point where Manchester City have entered the race and have made a bid themselves.
Heading 2: Rice’s Valuation and Negotiations
Rice is valued at around £100 million by the Hammers, and so far, no side has met that number with both bids from Arsenal and City totalling £90m, including add-ons. While that offer has been turned down by West Ham, City is expected to come again as Arsenal contemplate making another bid too.
Heading 3: Jamie O’Hara’s Opinion
TalkSPORT pundit and ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has not given the Gunners much of a chance of triumphing over City. Speaking to Jason Cundy on talkSPORT’s The Sports Bar, he said: “Arsenal have fumbled it, again.” Cundy chimed in and said: “When City muscle in, they muscle in. They are like that big bodybuilder that goes down to the beach at the bar.” O’Hara, smiling like a Cheshire cat, said: “You know what, fair play to Arsenal because they are back amongst it. All I am saying is, well done Arsenal. You are back amongst it. You’re fighting for the best players in the world, you’re having a go. But still going to lose out. Like they did with the Premier League. They are going to miss out and come second in a one-horse race.”
Heading 4: Arsenal’s Plans for Rice
Arsenal, meanwhile, want to make Rice the lynchpin of their midfield amid reports Thomas Partey is preparing to leave. Saudi Arabia is a potential destination for the Ghana international while Rice would slot straight into his position in holding midfield. Kai Havertz is on the brink of joining and could take Granit Xhaka’s spot on the left of midfield. While Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo are also still high on Mikel Arteta’s wish list.
Heading 5: City’s Plans for Rice
Pep Guardiola wants Rice to replace Ilkay Gundogan, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer this month. That is despite the impending arrival of Mateo Kovacic, who will join a strong midfield department that also includes Kevin de Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Kalvin Phillips and recently John Stones.
Heading 6: Conclusion
In conclusion, Arsenal and Manchester City are both desperate to sign Declan Rice this summer. While Arsenal wants to make Rice the lynchpin of their midfield, City wants him to replace Ilkay Gundogan. However, negotiations have dragged on now to the point where Manchester City have entered the race and have made a bid themselves. While Arsenal has not given up trying to sign Rice from West Ham, O’Hara has not given the Gunners much of a chance of triumphing over City. Only time will tell which club will win the race for Rice.