Declan Rice does not have his heart set on a move to Arsenal claims top ITK Fabrizio Romano as Man City launch their bid for the West Ham star.
There has been a major development in the tussle between Arsenal and Man City for West Ham captain Declan Rice.
Transfer reporters David Ornstein and Gianluca Di Marzio broke the news earlier that Manchester City will today launch a bid for West Ham talisman Rice.
It comes after Arsenal saw two unsatisfactory offers dismissed by West Ham.
Man City’s interest has always loomed large over Arsenal’s attempts to sign Rice from the Hammers.
But Ilkay Gundogan’s departure to Barcelona on a free transfer appears to have sparked Pep Guardiola into action.
Reports had claimed Rice only had eyes for Arsenal
Gunners supporters – like fans and indeed the board at West Ham – are frustrated with their club’s all too familiar low ball approach to the Rice negotiations.
Many fear Edu’s methods will once again cost Arsenal in the race for their prime target.
Especially as Man City can offer West Ham’s main man a more cast iron guarantee over silverware and Champions League football.
But in the background Arsenal have always been comforted by a claim from The Sun earlier this month that Rice ‘has his heart set on a move to the Emirates’.
Those reports even stated that Rice’s camp had made it known to interested clubs that he ‘only wanted Arsenal’.
Declan Rice does not have his heart set on Arsenal move claims top ITK Fabrizio Romano as Man City launch bid for West Ham star
That may have caused complacency in the Arsenal boardroom in believing they had a free run at West Ham’s £100m midfielder.
Well now they have got a rude awakening it seems.
Because Rice does not have his heart set on a move to Arsenal claims top ITK Fabrizio Romano as Man City launch their bid for the West Ham star.
“Manchester City have decided to bid for Declan Rice after calling West Ham last Friday to be informed,” Romano said on Thursday afternoon.
“Man City also checked player’s side — understand Rice is open to any move so deal depends on the clubs now.
“Arsenal, planning to bid again since last week.”
Opinion: Man City would not be bidding if they hadn’t had encouragement from Rice camp
This is massive for West Ham.
It goes without saying that Hammer fans would much rather see Rice join Man City over their London rivals. Especially given the way the Gunners have approached negotiations.
And of course the arrogance and relish of some Arsenal fans at the prospect of taking West Ham’s crown jewel.
This is game changing news from Romano on Rice’s alleged stance. It had irked many West Ham fans that Rice had supposedly shut down any hope of a bidding war to join a club who – regardless of their progress last season – simply do not guarantee the things he craves.
Whatever way you look at it, if Man City have contacted West Ham and Rice’s camp as claimed and have then decided to make a bid then it means they have received encouragement.
Things just got interesting.
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