West Ham United transfer news: ‘Very high possibility’ verdict issued amid Declan Rice to Manchester City chances
Tony Cascarino believes there is a “very high possibility” that West Ham ace Declan Rice wouldn’t play as much as he would like if he were to move to Manchester City.
The pundit noted that it would be an easy choice for the Hammers captain, who he thinks could transfer to the Etihad for £100million.
The prediction comes amid Manchester City wanting assurances that Rice wants to go there before they launch a bid, with Arsenal currently preparing a third bid for the player, according to the Mirror (24 June).
“It’s an easy choice – Man City is an easy choice as in they could easily win the double next year and maybe more,” Cascarino said, as quoted by talkSPORT. “That’s the thing you’ve got to really consider, but how big a part do you really play in that if you go to Manchester City?
“Because it’s not impossible that they could spend £100m and he could be a bit-part player at Man City. Some people might laugh at that, well that’s exactly the first season of Jack Grealish.
“I do think there is a very high possibility that he won’t play as much football as he would like.”
Bench time very likely
As is the case with all the stars at Manchester City, Rice absolutely could find himself warming the bench more than he would like if he does make the switch to the Etihad this summer.
And it would be a crazy turn of events after the midfield ace has spent years being the main man at West Ham.
Rice could continue his starring role in midfield if he were to transfer to Arsenal, with manager Mikel Arteta certain to build his team around the England international should he move to North London.
But that wouldn’t be the case in Manchester, which would be a real shame, with Rice definitely heading into the prime of his career.
Hopefully the Hammers skipper makes the right decision, and that would be switching claret and blue for the red and white of the Gunners.
Arteta has built a side capable of challenging for silverware, but the signature of Rice may just be the key to taking them over the finish line after they fell short last season.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have made an approach to sign one 16-goal striker this summer.