Mikel Arteta called Pep Guardiola and Manchester City to high up the bid for Declan Rice, jokes former English footballer

Declan Rice's final destination is yet undecided.

Mikel Arteta called Pep Guardiola and Manchester City to high up the bid for Declan Rice, jokes former English footballer

Bidding for Rice is heating up (Creits- Wikimedia)

British-Nigerian football broadcaster, Eni Aluko has made the shocking statement that Manchester City does not want to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. In a bidding war with Arsenal for the England international, Pep Guardiola’s team made a £90 million offer on Monday. According to reports, West Ham is expected to reject City’s offer, while the Gunners are putting together a new contract for the Englishman.

However, Aluko, a former England international, said that Mikel Arteta had encouraged Pep Guardiola for Man City to make an offer in order to pressure Arsenal’s owners into closing the sale. Aluko, who formerly worked as the sports director for Aston Villa Women and Angel City FC in the United States, stated that this was a method she had used to close agreements.

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She said “I think there’s a lot of cat and mouse going on here. As a sporting director I used to do this a lot where I’d call up a big club and say “can you put a bid in?” – and that would get my owner to put a higher bid in.”

She also added that the idea of City bidding on Rice could be a brainchild of Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta. “I don’t think Manchester City actually want to sign Declan Rice, I think what’s going on here is Mikel Arteta has picked up the phone to Pep and said “listen, Arsenal are going to do the incremental bid approach. If you put a higher bid in that will push my owner.” She further added.

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Manchester United to enter a bidding war for Rice

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united considering swooping for Rice (Credits- Goal)

According to sources, Manchester United plans to enter the battle for Declan Rice by putting forward an outrageous trade demand. The Red Devils’ proposal would come after expensive offers from both Manchester City and Arsenal that were turned down. This summer, City and Arsenal are making every effort to pry the midfielder from West Ham.

Rice ended the previous campaign in fantastical style, winning the Europa Conference League and was greeted with jubilation in east London. Given that he had previously expressed a desire to play Champions League football, many now anticipate him to take on a new challenge. Rice also served as West Ham’s club captain last year.

In an effort to take advantage of the situation, United is mulling a “player-plus-cash” offer that may include Scott McTominay or Harry Maguire. The player has a long-term admirer in Erik Ten Hag. He wants Rice and Casemiro to work together in the middle of the pitch.

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