Mikel Arteta’s sales pitch was clear: he wanted a faster car and he wanted Declan Rice behind the wheel.
The question Rice has been pondering before he takes his next career step has been: Where do I fit in?
When Bayern Munich made an approach for the West Ham captain earlier this month, the response was polite but firm that Rice, though flattered, would prefer a move to Arsenal.
It wasn’t just about staying in London, the Germans said. Rice had been convinced by Arsenal’s determined boss Mikel Arteta. How he would be central to Arsenal’s rebuild, where he would play, how he would play and the trust Arteta has in him to be the driving force to take his young side to the next level; that of Premier League champions.
He is seen as a future Arsenal captain but on arrival would likely become part of the club’s leadership group which consists of Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal are currently in the driving seat to sign West Ham and England star Declan Rice
Rice has been convinced by Arsenal’s determined manager Mikel Arteta, despite interest from other top clubs
Armed with around £180million, Arteta has said Arsenal need to ‘nail this transfer window.
‘We have to nail everything we do,’ he said. ‘And seek excellence in everything we touch.’ His delivery is straightforward: ‘We explain who we are, how we do things, what we want from them, how we think they will fit in our culture, then try to do the right thing as a club,’ Arteta underlined.
‘Buy the right profile for the right amount of money that is going to fit what we are going to do, and, in the end, players and staff are going to make our car faster and more reliable to have a great season.’ And Rice was convinced he would be in the driving seat.
With Xhaka heading for Bayer Leverkusen and Thomas Partey drawing interest from Saudi Arabia and Juventus, the proverbial road ahead was clear.
Rice is convinced that he will play a lead role in Arteta’s plans and would arrive at Arsenal knowing he would immediately become central to the way they play and agreeing personal terms will not be an issue.
At that point, Manchester City were not a serious part of the equation. Like Manchester United, their interest had been mooted but the hard offer wasn’t there. Pep Guardiola has not shied away from his admiration. Indeed, City’s manager hailed Rice as ‘an exceptional player’ only last month.
Yet, while Arsenal gave clarity, the recurring question at City concerned where he would play.
Would Rice and his penchant for lying deep cut across Rodri’s modus operandi? Arguably the best holding midfielder in world football on current form, the Spaniard’s role is crucial to how City function.
Arteta feels Rice can be a driving force to take Arsenal to the next level and could be a future captain at the Emirates
Yet, as with Kevin De Bruyne, the toll of playing over 60 games every season and at the intensity City do, is beginning to tell. Rodri is 27 and 6ft 3ins tall, the Nations League final last weekend was his 66th game in a rewarding but draining season. Guardiola has been imploring the powers that be to let his players rest but with no sign of a reprieve he has to find new resources.
At 24, Rice is a younger model and one of the few in the Premier League whose stats compare favourably with Rodri. City have also studied how the England man can adapt and revel in a more advanced role.
They have theorised that Rice could share the workload, allow Rodri a rest and yet play in the same team. Ilkay Gundogan’s pending departure to Barcelona leaves a void that could be even larger if Bernardo Silva pushes to leave for Paris Saint-Germain or for the Saudi millions.
City have moved quickly to ensure Chelsea’s versatile midfielder Mateo Kovacic has been lined up, but they still believe there is room for Rice, even taking into account that his pal Kalvin Phillips has no desire to leave.
The door could be opened by the potential exits of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey
Treble winners Manchester City are among other Premier League sides interested in Rice
It remains to be seen whether City’s anticipated offer meets West Ham’s criteria, nevertheless the Etihad club formalising their interest will come as welcome news to Hammers chairman David Sullivan, who has hoped to trigger a bidding war for his talisman.
Phillips, though touted as a potential makeweight for Rice in some circles, has fought hard to fit in at City and doesn’t want to give up yet. Not to mention the considerable amount of wages he would have to sacrifice if asked to fit into West Ham’s pay structure.
Of course, City would only bid for Rice if he indicated he would come — and he would give serious consideration to a move north if he could be convinced he would play regularly. Undermining the plans of their Premier League rivals in the process would be another market masterstroke.
Rice is ready to drive off into the sunset despite David Moyes valuing him to be worth £150m
Cross-city rivals United had looked to offer up to £100m for Rice last summer but were told that wasn’t enough.
This time their drawn-out takeover and limited budget has restricted them to a mere nibble, offering players such as Scott McTominay and Anthony Elanga plus £40m but they are very much seen as outsiders in the battle for the England midfielder.
Privately, manager David Moyes has laughed off suggestions he values Rice at £120m. No, he values his West Ham talisman at £150m.
The reality will be something else, with Rice ready to drive off into the sunset.
