According to the latest reports from Sky Sports, Manchester City made initial enquiries about West Ham United’s midfielder Declan Rice. However, the Hammers have made their stance clear to the Premier League champions, and they have indicated that their academy graduate is not for sale. City’s derby rivals Manchester United also approached, but they too got the same response from the London outfit.
City are looking for midfield reinforcements, and they have been linked with the likes of Rodri and Tanguy Ndombele. Manchester City are said to be closing in on Rodri who is being seen as a long term replacement for Fernandinho. We think that even Declan Rice would have been a top addition in a similar role.
Rice enjoyed a terrific campaign for the Hammers playing as a defensive midfielder. The England international started as a centre back, but his on the ball abilities allowed Manuel Pellegrini to use him as the deepest player in midfield.
We think that he would have been an ideal player to fit into Guardiola’s system. Rice’s ability to play as a centre back would have also come in handy as the Citizens are also looking at a replacement for Vincent Kompany.
Does Guardiola need someone like Rice?
The Citizens are likely to sign Rodri for big money so we don’t really think that they would go in hard after Rice now. However, if Guardiola is seeing him as a centre back option, then he might want to come up with a bid as City aren’t close to signing a defender just yet.
What can Rice bring to the table at the Etihad?
The London born player is known for his immaculate reading of the game. More than his footballing abilities, it’s the footballing IQ that makes him stand out. That is the primary reason why we feel Gareth Southgate had a conversation with Rice and asked him to turn out for the England national team even though he had represented Ireland until then at the youth and senior level.
Rice is known for his composure on the ball and his tackling and interceptions. His versatility to be used in two different positions make him a great option.
Should City go all out for him?
The London based outfit have Rice on a contract until 2024 and given the fact that they are demanding £75m for Diop from Manchester United, we feel that they might end up putting a price tag of close to £100m on Rice. With Rodri coming in, it doesn’t make sense for the Citizens to go after the English talent for that kind of money.
