It has been reported that Manchester City are set to make an offer to complete a transfer for Declan Rice on Thursday.
This comes from The Athletic journalist David Ornstein, after it was claimed on Wednesday that Pep Guardiola’s men would only try to sign him if Ilkay Gundogan left, with a move to Barcelona on the verge of completion.
Now, Manchester City could submit an offer to hijack Arsenal in the race to sign Declan Rice.
David Ornstein: Manchester City expected to present offer on Thursday to seal Declan Rice transfer
The Sky Blues are certainly in need of reinforcements in the middle of the park, with Ilkay Gundogan being Barcelona-bound and Bernardo Silva mooted with an exit as well.
Mateo Kovacic looks set to sign for the treble-winners, with Fabrizio Romano reporting on Wednesday that a deal is all but official.
Now, it has been reported that Manchester City further aim to bolster their midfield by submitting an official offer to sign Declan Rice, branded as an ‘elite midfielder’ by The Athletic on Thursday.
In addition, the Premier League champions are expected to launch a bid soon.
However, Ornstein’s report for The Athletic does mention that Arsenal are ‘getting closer’ to reaching a final agreement after their £90 million (£75 million + £15 million in add-ons) bid was rejected by the Hammers.
Declan Rice would be a brilliant signing for the Sky Blues
Initially, several Manchester City supporters were against the prospect of signing Declan Rice, as he was viewed as a direct replacement for Ilkay Gundogan.
While both players are not similar in any sense, Rice could slot alongside Rodri to allow De Bruyne and Foden to play further forward in the advanced midfield positions.
With it being reported that the plan in place is to play Phil Foden in midfield next season, he would actually end up succeeding Ilkay Gundogan as his boyhood club’s left-sided midfielder it seems.
As a result, the potential addition of the Englishman would further solidify this City side, as he could potentially play in the hybrid role that John Stones did so adeptly in the previous campaign.
