MANCHESTER CITY are reportedly set to launch a transfer bid for Declan Rice TODAY – sparking an incredible three-way battle for his signature.
The star’s future looks like it will turn into one of the summer’s longest-running transfer sagas.
PAThe chase to sign Declan Rice is hotting up[/caption]
Arsenal have seemed like the favourites to sign Rice but have so far seen a pair of bids rejected by West Ham United.
The Gunners’ failure to meet West Ham’s £100million valuation is set to open the door for other clubs, including Manchester United.
However, West Ham are interested in Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, and that could put the Treble-winners in pole position.
Now David Ornstein is claiming that City are expected to submit an offer to West Ham on Thursday and they have “serious interest” in Rice.
The ace, who lives in Kingston-upon-Thames, has previously stated he wants to remain close to his hometown to Gary Neville on The Overlap Extra, saying: “I’m here [Kingston] all the time.
“I’ve always wanted to stay close to this place. I feel like I don’t want to lose my roots.”
We revealed earlier this month that Rice has already missed out on over £10m in wages after rejecting West Ham’s offer of a new contract, proving money is not his main motivation.
Here we take a look at what could hold the key to where the 24-year-old eventually ends up playing next season:
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ARSENAL
PROS: Rice is believed to want to stay in London, something the Gunners can offer.
And he knows that Mikel Arteta wants him to be his main midfield man, guaranteeing him plenty of action.
CONS: Arsenal’s late title collapse could prove a worry, but Rice will also have the belief that he can help transform the Emirates outfit into winners.
He will also no doubt know that a lot more silverware is likely to come his way should he move elsewhere.
MAN CITY
PROS: After their Treble triumph last season, Pep Guardiola’s men will be the favourites for every competition they enter again this term.
He may not get as much action in the middle for the Cityzens, but that almost-guaranteed promise of trophies would certainly soften that blow.
CONS: As well as the expected rotation he would have to contend with, the switch to the North West would also mean a huge change to his life off the pitch.
Pep Guardiola’s future will also be a concern.
MAN UTD
PROS: Erik ten Hag would love to build his midfield around the star.
Despite it being over a decade since their last title win, United still have the tag of being the country’s biggest club.
And being part of Ten Hag’s revolution, which could be boosted by a Qatari takeover, and helping the Red Devils to end that Premier League drought would cement himself as a legend at Old Trafford.
CONS: With the takeover uncertainty still ongoing and no new additions as yet, there is no guarantee that United will be battling for the title.
Therefore, if fighting for silverware rather than money is his main ambition, then the Red Devils could prove to be another risk just like Arsenal.
And a switch would also have the same impact geographically on his personal life.
Declan Rice next club odds
Here are the latest odds from Paddy Power on who will be Rice’s next club:
Arsenal 3/10
Man City 3/1
Man Utd 5/1
Chelsea 20/1
Bayern 33/1
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CHELSEA
PROS: He would be able to remain in London and return to the club he has unfinished business at after being released by them as a teenager.
His family are also big Blues supporters, and helping them to rebuild after last season’s disaster could prove to be a tantalising one.
CONS: Once again the silverware question comes into play, and amid the turbulence both on and off the pitch at Stamford Bridge, he may decide to stay well clear.
BAYERN MUNICH
PROS: Another club keen on him that could almost guarantee him trophies.
Several English stars have enjoyed success in Germany over recent years and Bayern have been strongly linked with a swoop.
CONS: If a move to the North West was proving to be a potential sticking point, then a switch to another country would cause even more dilemmas for Rice.
And he is already believed to have told the Bundesliga champions that his preferred option is to remain in the Premier League.
WEST HAM
PROS: He is already a legend at the club after leading the team to the Europa Conference League. And any further trophies would mean more at West Ham.
He is a guaranteed starter under David Moyes and knows that another season there would edge him closer to an even more lucrative free transfer switch when his contract expires.
CONS: Rice has spoken about his desire to play Champions League football and battle it out for the game’s top prizes.
And he is unlikely to be able to do that with the Hammers, despite last season’s success in Europe.