A transfer nightmare is seemingly brewing for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as Manchester City are going all out to win the race to sign Declan Rice.<\/p>\n
Arteta\u2019s nightmare scenario would only be too real if Manchester City succeed in pipping Arsenal to the post for the West Ham dynamo in the coming weeks as the Gunners have already seen two bids for Rice rejected after making him their priority summer transfer target. And now the treble winners have entered the frame and made clear their intentions of staking an open claim on the West Ham captain.<\/p>\n
West Ham turned the Gunners away earlier this week for a second time after the latter made a club-record offer worth \u00a390million – \u00a375m up front and \u00a315m in add-ons. Arsenal had two opportunities to come good on Rice’s \u00a3100m valuation but City are now aggressively joining the race for his signature.<\/p>\n
Pep Guardiola is obviously desirous of bolstering his midfield ahead of Ilkay Gundogan’s free transfer to Barcelona with the Citizens closing in on a \u00a330m deal for Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic. Rice has emerged as the latest top flight contender with a rival bid reportedly set to be lodged imminently.<\/p>\n
It shouldn\u2019t be a surprise should the 24-year-old opt for the Etihad Stadium, where the allure of glittering trophies would prove most difficult to resist. Arsenal need to act quickly and decisively to seek other alternatives in the event that their pursuit of Rice falls flat.<\/p>\n
Moises Caicedo could be a possible alternative for Arteta as the former had pushed to leave Brighton and Hove Albion for Arsenal in January. However, reports that Chelsea are now Caicedo has apparently set his sights on Chelsea, according to Fabrizio Romano and the Blues are said to be actively working on a deal for the Ecuador international, with personal terms said to be almost agreed, which would likely point toward another suitable midfielder escaping Arsenal\u2019s clutches.<\/p>\n
If the Gunners miss out on Rice and Caicedo, don\u2019t be surprised to hear the alarm sirens blaring in the panic stations at the Emirates Stadium.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"