Danny Murphy has suggested that Manchester City’s reported transfer deal for Mateo Kovacic could dismiss their potential interest in Declan Rice.
Yesterday, it was reported that the Manchester club had agreed a £30m deal with Chelsea to sign the midfielder.
The Citizens have also been mentioned with a possible move for Rice, who Arsenal have seen two bids rejected by West Ham United for recently.
With an official announcement revealing the signing of Kovacic reportedly on the way, one pundit has shared his thoughts on this move and what this could mean in terms of City’s apparent interest in Rice.
Murphy raves over Kovacic but dismisses Rice interest
Speaking on talkSPORT, Murphy said this on the situation.
He said: “If we take Bernardo Silva and [Ilkay] Gundogan out of the equation, which it looks like we are, then they’re filling one of them with him because he can play in a variety of midfield [roles].
“He’s a tremendous technician, brilliant at keeping possession. Would concern me that his end product isn’t as good as Gundogan if he’s going to play in there.
“I would imagine that he would be one of two coming in rather than just one big one for huge money. I would say that negates the Declan [Rice] interest.
“He’s one of the very few midfield players that takes the ball under pressure in deep areas and can get you out with his dribbling ability and close control rather than passing your way out, which is a phenomenal strength to have.
“And in a team that completely dominates possession 90% if not more of the games they play, he will be appreciated more than he has been in a Chelsea shirt, even though there’s a section of Chelsea fans that really do value him.”
Bearing in mind how recent reports have said that Gundogan will be joining Barcelona this summer, this makes us feel that City’s move for Kovacic is one they may have had planned should the German decide to not sign a new deal at the Etihad Stadium and instead leave as a free agent at the end of the month.
In terms of a potential move for Rice, who has been described as a “fast” player by Ryan Fredericks, the fact that City already have Rodri and Kalvin Phillips in their squad suggests that a move for the Englishman may not be particularly necessary for them, especially if it would take a significant amount of money to get him.
Moving forward, if Pep Guardiola feels his squad has enough depth in the midfield with Kovacic in and Gundogan out, the Rice saga could well be put to bed and City could start to focus on other areas of the squad they may want to strengthen.
