Manchester City are preparing to rival Arsenal in the race for Declan Rice by making a formal bid for the West Ham United midfielder, sources have told ESPN.
Manchester City have been monitoring developments as Arsenal had two bids rejected earlier this month for the 24-year-old, the latest totaling £90 million ($114.9 million) consisting of £75 million ($89.3 million) and an additional £15 million. million ($19.1 million).
As sources have told ESPN City are waiting on Ilkay Gundogan to decide on his future before moving on to find a new midfielder, and now he has opted to turn down a new contract to join Barcelona.
West Ham value Rice at over £100 million ($127.6 million), and Arsenal are expected to return with a third bid.
It remains to be seen how much City are willing to make an offer but the Premier League champions signaling their interest is likely to raise the fee.
Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal are confident that Rice wants to move to the Emirates Stadium but City will test that confidence, especially considering they could tempt West Ham with a player plus cash deal.
West Ham coach David Moyes is considered a fan of City midfielder Kalvin Phillips. If Rice decides to join City, Phillips will be behind him and Rodri in the starting lineup.
Phillips was reluctant to leave and had to be convinced he had no future at the club to continue his career elsewhere.
Arsenal have made Rice their top midfield target and believe talks are progressing well on personal terms which is not seen as a problem.
However, it is possible that City, who have just secured Treble success in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, could tempt Rice to change his mind.
Manchester United are also interested in Rice with reports suggesting they are considering their own player-plus-money proposals which may include Harry Maguire or Scott McTominay.
West Ham inquired about Maguire in January but were told he wanted to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford.
