Premier League champions Manchester City have reportedly pulled out of the race for West Ham captain Declan Rice after their earlier bid was rejected.
The Cityzens are one of the several clubs that are interested in Rice and had officially registered their interest in him by submitting a £ 90 million bid for the player yesterday.
However, West Ham rejected their offer as they valued the player at around £120 million. The Hammers’ valuation is too much for Pep Guardiola’s side, who are unwilling to stretch to those numbers in their pursuit of the midfielder and will now move on.
Guardiola had targeted the 43-cap England international to sit alongside Rodri in the City midfield but will have to find an alternative or use recently signed Mateo Kovacic in that role.
City’s reluctance has paved the way for Arsenal, who had made all the running and prioritised the capture of the 24-year-old, to spearhead another tilt at the Premier League title.
The Gunners have reportedly submitted a £100 million bid, plus £ 5 million in add-ons, on Tuesday, and City has made it clear they do not want to match those numbers.
The Premier League champions have a history of withdrawing interest in players – most notably Cristiano Ronaldo, Marc Cucurella, Harry Maguire, Jorginho, Alexis Sanchez and Kalidou Koulibaly in recent years.
Meanwhile, City are also interested in signing Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga. But the Spanish midfielder is not considered a major summer target for the Treble winners as the club has long admired him.
EXCL: Manchester City have entered the race for Spanish talent Gabri Veiga after pulling out of Declan Rice deal. He’s one of the options now being considered at the club. 🚨🔵 #MCFC
Liverpool and Chelsea remain interested but City also informed now.
Release clause: €40m. pic.twitter.com/Hb8kmXfMzi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 28, 2023
