Manchester City Rumors: Declan Rice Would Replace This Player If Big Transfer Happens – Report

Manchester City views West Ham United’s Declan Rice as a long-term successor to one of its veteran stars and is likely to make a move for him soon, according to a report.

The Citizens may have missed out on some of their top targets this past summer but still headed into the new season having landed Jack Grealish from Aston Villa. For the next year, Manchester City has already earmarked Rice as a priority, The Athletic reported.

Other English Premier League clubs are still keeping tabs on Rice, but Manchester City will push for a move for him next summer after identifying the 22-year-old midfielder as a suitable successor to Fernandinho, the report said.

The 36-year-old had signed a one-year contract extension with Manchester City in the summer and is expected to finish the current season with the Citizens. However, the report added that the reigning Premier League champions are still keen on signing Rice to potentially fill the Brazilian’s position next summer.

Undeniably, Rice has been one of the key figures at West Ham over the last few years, and it is safe to say that clubs will continue to pursue him.

It can be recalled that the Hammers managed to fend off interest from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea in the offseason. However, the report noted that these clubs are still considering a swoop for Rice.

The 22-year-old’s current deal with West Ham is set to expire three years from now, with the option of another year.

Rumors have swirled that Rice has already rejected multiple offers of a fresh set of terms with the Hammers.

Despite the buzz surrounding his future, Rice has remained unfazed and insisted that regardless of what rumors say, he always gives “100%” for West Ham.

“Everyone knows how I feel about West Ham and I feel about playing under the manager [David Moyes] and what it’s like playing with the group of players I’m playing with,” Rice said in a press conference last month. “I feel you can see in my performances nothing’s up, nothing’s concerning me.”

“I’m playing with a smile on my face, I’m going out there, I’m leading the team,” he pointed out. “I think you could see a difference if I wasn’t giving 100% but every time I’m putting on the shirt my only objective is to give everything for the club.”