Manchester City has officially made a bid for West Ham United captain Declan Rice, hoping to secure his signature this summer. The Premier League champions have offered an initial £80 million with an additional £10 million in add-ons, surpassing Arsenal’s previous bid of £75 million plus £15 million in add-ons, which was rejected by West Ham.
Rice’s contract with West Ham expires in 2024, with an option for a one-year extension. However, West Ham chairman David Sullivan expressed his expectation that Rice has played his last game for the club, stating that the midfielder “wanted to go” after their Europa Conference League triumph. Rice, who made his debut in 2017, has amassed 245 appearances for West Ham.
The interest in Rice stems from his exceptional defensive abilities, particularly his skill in breaking up opposition attacks and transitioning into the offensive phase. His reading of the game, anticipation, timing, and decision-making have made him one of the top players sought after in Europe. West Ham typically deploy Rice as one of two midfielders in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where he forms a defensive triangle to build up play from the back and prevent counter-attacks.
Manchester City’s bid for Rice comes as they are set to finalize a deal for Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, while their captain Ilkay Gundogan has moved to Barcelona on a free transfer. With the financial resources at their disposal, City aims to strengthen their squad even further, having been labeled as having the “biggest budget in football history” this summer.
Although Arsenal has been considered favorites to sign Rice, the rejection of their bid and City’s subsequent approach may complicate matters for the Gunners. Reports have indicated that Rice himself favors Arsenal and remaining in his hometown, but West Ham has stood firm on their valuation. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been tight-lipped about the club’s interest in Rice, stating a focus on building a winning team that can be sustainable for the long term.
Manchester City’s bid for Declan Rice puts them in pole position to secure the talented midfielder, further bolstering their already dominant squad and potentially dealing a blow to rival Arsenal’s aspirations.