Manchester City make move to beat Arsenal with bid for Declan Rice

IN DEMAND: West Ham captain Declan Rice. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

Manchester City stepped up their attempt to beat Arsenal to the signing of Declan Rice by making their first bid for the West Ham midfielder on Monday.

Arsenal have had two bids for Rice rejected and are in danger of missing out on Mikel Arteta’s top target. City want the England midfielder to replace Ilkay Gündogan, who completed his move to Barcelona on Monday, and have sent West Ham a formal proposal worth £80m plus £10m in add-ons.