MANCHESTER CITY reportedly want assurances from Declan Rice that he wants to join them.
That is before they launch a £100million offer to hijack the West Ham star’s move to Arsenal.
According to the Mirror, West Ham are confident they will receive the £100m valuation for their skipper from one club or the other.
Arsenal have already seen two bids for Rice pushed back, with their latest offer worth £90m including add-ons.
City are determined to land Rice, 24, after the departure of Ilkay Gundogan.
However, if Rice has no genuine interest in joining the Etihad outfit, City will withdraw their interest.
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Rice has been gearing up for a move to the Emirates for months and is said to prefer a move there.
Indeed, Bayern Munich withdrew their interest in the England international after this revelation.
The report adds Arsenal’s financial department are working hard on how to restructure the deal in order to best appease the Hammers’ demands.
After their stunning Treble success and strong player sales, Man City are said to be armed with a £300million war chest.
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With stars such as Ilkay Gundogan departing, along with reports linking Bernardo Silva and Aymeric Laporte away from the club, City will be in need of reinforcements.
They have already lasered in a deal for Mateo Kovacic.
Meanwhile, Josko Gvardiol has been identified as Laporte’s successor.
However, it will take a world record fee for a defender to prise him away from RB Leipzig.
In Arsenal’s case, a deal for Kai Havertz appears to be close, while they have a clear shot at landing Ajax star Jurrien Timber in part of what could be a record-breaking £200m spree for the Gunners.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
