Manchester City consider bid to sign West Ham star Declan Rice
Manchester City could make a bid to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice in the summer, according to The Times.
The newspaper claims Fernandinho’s contract expires at the end of the season and if he decides to quit the Etihad, the Champions League finalists will turn their attention towards signing Rice, who’s also wanted by Chelsea and Manchester United.
It is understood that Man City are ready to offer 36-year-old Fernandinho a 12-month contract extension but if he leaves, Pep Guardiola will “insist” on a new defensive midfielder being signed.
Rice is said to be someone who Guardiola and his staff have “discussed” behind the scenes at the Etihad with the Man City boss an admirer of the England internatoinal.
However, The Times adds that the Citizens “could be priced out of a move” for Rice with David Moyes wanting £100million for the midfielder.
Hands off
We really don’t think Rice will go anywhere this summer – especially to Man City.
Why? He’s unlikely to be a regular starter for the Premier League leaders with The Times claiming that Man City are unlikely to meet West Ham’s demands because “the midfielder that they are looking to bring in will not be guaranteed playing time” and will compete with Rodri for a spot in Guardiola’s starting line-up.
Rice wouldn’t want that. He’s playing every week at West Ham because he’s one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
If he moves on, he will want to be one of the first names on the team sheet.
Man City will no doubt be an attractive proposition for Rice though as they’re about to win the Premier League title and are in the Champions League final.
While West Ham could themselves be in the Champions League next season, Man City are no doubt a more nailed-on team to play for if you want to regularly compete in Europe’s top competition.
We’re not overly concerned about Rice going to Man City.
Fernandinho’s display against Paris Saint-Germain this week suggests that he should probably stick around at the Etihad for another year and that would cancel out Pep’s need for a new defensive midfielder.
In other West Ham news, there’s been a huge update on Moyes’ future at the London Stadium.
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