West Ham United has rejected Manchester City’s initial bid of £90 million for midfield sensation Declan Rice, as sources confirm the London club is steadfast in their valuation. City’s pursuit of the England international may be finally over.
Sources close to the negotiations reveal that the London club is resolute in their demand for a minimum of £100 million in guaranteed payments, indicating their determination to retain their prized midfielder. This rejection follows Arsenal’s unsuccessful bid of £75m plus £15m in add-ons last week.
Manchester City Withdraws: Different Opinions on Declan Rice Value
Manchester City has decided to pull out of the race to sign Declan Rice after Arsenal submitted a third bid worth £105m. City’s own bid of £90m was rejected earlier, and they have chosen not to match or exceed Arsenal’s offer. This decision aligns with City’s strategy of not exceeding their own valuation for players, even if it means losing them to a Premier League rival. It mirrors similar instances in the past, such as their pursuits of Harry Maguire, Jorginho, and Marc Cucurella.
Opinions regarding Rice’s market value vary. Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville believes that the midfielder is worth around £50 million to £60 million due to his primarily defensive role and limited goal contributions. Neville suggests that Rice could benefit from working under a different set-up and further develop his skills. However, the reported figures in discussion for Rice’s transfer fee far exceed Neville’s valuation.
Doubts Surrounding City’s Midfield
Manchester City’s interest in Rice grew stronger following Ilkay Gundogan’s departure to Barcelona on a free transfer. City has already secured a £30m deal for Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, signaling their intent to bolster their squad. However, uncertainties loom over the futures of Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips at City. West Ham has reportedly shown interest in Phillips, should he decide to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Despite having one year remaining on his contract, Declan Rice is expected to leave West Ham in the close season. The Hammers’ chairman, David Sullivan, has acknowledged a gentleman’s agreement. This allows Rice to depart, with the option to extend his contract by an additional 12 months.
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