Manchester City are reportedly interested in a summer move for West Ham captain Declan Rice, with Arsenal also believed to be keen on signing the England international.
According to the Times, Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to add to their central midfield and left-back position at the end of the season even with the looming threat of strict sanctions being placed on the club following a four-year-long Premier League investigation into City’s finances.
As per the report, City’s summer plans could be affected if a verdict is delivered quickly enough, with a transfer ban not out of the question for the Manchester giants, who now interested in signing Rice despite strong interest from Arsenal in recent weeks.
Danny Murphy recently told TalkSport that the West Ham skipper would be ‘perfect’ for the north London club as Arsenal prepare to make a summer move for the £100m-rated Premier League superstar. However, City’s interest in the midfielder could be a major problem for the Gunners.
With the Times report stating that City’s transfer targets could be unnerved to join the club amid the Premier League’s bombshell announcement, there’s a good chance that Arsenal could be the leading favourite to sign Rice, especially if Mikel Arteta’s side can pip Guardiola to the league title.
Indeed, Rice would be an incredible long-term signing for the Gunners even with the club-record finances Arsenal will have to offer to sign the midfielder. Yet even with City in the race, the north London side should feel confident in getting a deal done in the summer.
Arsenal can beat Man City to Rice signing this year
In most years, Arsenal trying to compete with City for any top Premier League player would have been seen as a waste of time given how financially powerful the Manchester side are. However, things will soon change in English football, and with it comes the ability for Arteta’s side to sign players such as Rice.
As we know, the Premier League are working on issuing City punishments for their over 100 financial breaches, and with top players now coy over joining the Etihad Stadium giants, Arsenal could have a free shot at signing Rice in the summer transfer window.
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