West Ham star Declan Rice’s England bromance could help sway the battle between Man City and Arsenal this summer.
It is now looking increasingly likely that Arsenal will have to match any bid from Manchester City to have a chance of signing West Ham captain Declan Rice.
There were some major development in the tussle between Arsenal and Man City for Hammers hero Rice yesterday.
And the rolling updates on what is the story of the Premier League’s summer transfer window so far shows no sign of slowing down.
Transfer reporters David Ornstein and Gianluca Di Marzio broke the news that Manchester City will imminently launch a bid for West Ham talisman Rice.
It comes after Arsenal saw two unsatisfactory offers dismissed by West Ham.
Man City’s reported interest has always cast an ominous shadow over Arsenal’s attempts to sign West Ham’s main man.
And Ilkay Gundogan’s departure to Barcelona on a free transfer has sparked Pep Guardiola into action.
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.
Contrary to previous reports, top transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano said Rice does not have his heart set solely on a move to Arsenal. The Italian insisted yesterday Rice is open to a move to Man City. Which is great news for West Ham when it comes to a bidding war.
All eyes are on this deal right now as the race hots up and the rival bidders make their cases as to why Rice should join them.
Well West Ham star Rice’s England bromance could help sway the battle between Man City and Arsenal.
Eyebrows were raised when Rice and Gunners star Bukayo Saka shared an exchange on social media after being involved in England’s win over North Macedonia.
Many believed the content to be a big hint over Rice moving to Arsenal.
But it could actually be Rice’s close bond with fellow good viber Jack Grealish of Man City which proves key.
The duo have grown very close over the years. And it all began when, having both played for Ireland, they controversially decided to switch allegiance to England.
The duo were given a rough ride over the decision – and still are from some quarters. And had forged a bond having one another to lean on for support.
In the England camps Rice and Grealish are known to have become very close friends. Both used to compliment each other on social media after games in the Premier League.
And they are said to be the heartbeat of the team spirit and good vibes in the Three Lions camp.
One only needs to search ‘Jack Grealish Declan Rice’ on Google and scroll through some of the videos and pictures to see the bromance between the West Ham and Man City stars.
Everyone will remember that England game in Hungary back in September 2021 too. West Ham enforcer Rice was man of the match as he played a key role in England’s win and topped the night off with the fourth goal after an assist from Man City star Grealish.
After his goal Rice and Grealish goaded the hostile Hungary crowd who had directed vile racist abuse and thrown objects at England’s black players, as reported by the likes of Sky Sports at the time.
As the players celebrated, West Ham star Rice and Grealish picked up a cup each and mocked the fans by pretending to drink from it.
Fans of West Ham, Man City and supporters in general lapped up Rice and Grealish’s celebration on social media.
It showed their similar mindset and characters – even if they were both criticised by manager Gareth Southgate afterwards.
So while Rice may have shared that moment with Saka on social media this week, his bond with Grealish runs deep.
While Arsenal have developed massively under Mikel Arteta in the last year or so, Rice wants to win all the trophies Grealish has just celebrated with Manchester City.
The West Ham skipper even said at the World Cup watching his teammates like Grealish lift that silverware had made his mind up to leave in pursuit of the same thing.
Joining Man City and linking up with Grealish – who will definitely be in Rice’s ear about playing at Man City and the success he could enjoy – could be massive for this deal.
And that is seriously bad news for Arsenal.
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