Report: Manchester City close to beating Arsenal in Declan Rice race

Man City's pursuit of Rice has intensified after it was reported on Wednesday that club captain Ilkay Gundogan has agreed to join Barcelona on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of this month.

Pep Guardiola is now keen to lure Rice to the Etihad Stadium despite the Citizens having already agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign Mateo Kovacic for an initial £25m.

Manchester United are also said to be interested in Rice, but a big-money move for the midfielder to Old Trafford appears unlikely due to Financial Fair Play regulations, leaving Man City and Arsenal to lock horns in a bidding war.

Since making his professional debut in 2017, Rice has featured 245 times for West Ham across all competitions, and he contributed with five goals and three assists in 50 games during the 2022-23 campaign.