Journalist John Cross has claimed that Declan Rice is only thinking about joining Arsenal this summer instead of Manchester City.
The north London club have been hot on the midfielder’s heels recently by having two bids, the second of which totalling £90m, turned down by West Ham United, who want around £100m for their captain.
After the Gunners saw their first bid get rejected, it was reported that City are considering making their own move for the Englishman and that West Ham are expecting them to get involved in the race.
Now, with the Citizens having agreed a deal to sign Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, one journalist has spoke about the current feeling towards the Manchester club’s chances of signing Rice.
Speaking in a recent edition of the Sky Sports Back Pages podcast, Cross said this on the situation.
He said: “I think Arsenal and West Ham are just going through a process now and it’s being played out very publicly, previously it would have been a bit quieter.
“Other clubs would be interested in Rice. Man City have been the rumours in the past few days, but they are signing Mateo Kovacic.
“I do think Rice’s preferred option or what he has set in his head is Arsenal and I do think he’s almost made up his mind. So I wonder whether other clubs are leaving it too late and Arsenal will just thrash out this business.”
Given the clear eagerness Arsenal have of landing a deal for the 24-year-old, this could convince the player to join them and want to repay the faith and investment they look to be putting in for him.
However, with the potential opportunity to play for Pep Guardiola and be part of a team that have just won the treble and will be looking to do the same again next season, a move to the Etihad Stadium would surely be a tempting prospect for Rice.
