According to The Times, Manchester City are considering a bid for Declan Rice with Fernandinho stalling over a new deal at the Etihad Stadium.
The Brazilian – who turned 36 on the day City progressed to the Champions League final – is out of contract in a matter of weeks.
Fernandinho has been offered a 12-month extension, but he will wait until the season has ended before deciding if he wants to continue or not.
If City’s No.25 does depart, Pep Guardiola will insist on a replacement with Rice among several options discussed by the Spaniard and his staff.
The Times add that Manchester United and Chelsea are also keen on the West Ham colossus.
Enzo Maresca, City’s Under-23 coach, knows Rice well having worked alongside the 22-year-old while assisting Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham.
Even with their financial might, City fear they will be priced out of a move for the England international.
David Moyes recently said that Rice was worth over £100 million.
The Times state that City would not be willing to go that high.
If they do manage to sign Rice, Guardiola will have made few better moves.
West Ham’s No.41 has already racked up 128 Premier League appearances, despite being just 22 years of age.
He’s also won 15 caps for England, and looks a certainty to start for the Three Lions at EURO 2021.
14 years younger than Fernandinho, there are few better long-term replacements for the South American out there than Rice, in our view.
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