Jack Grealish has made his feelings clear on the prospect of Manchester City signing Declan Rice via his activity on social media platform Twitter. Britain’s most-expensive ever player could see his £100million transfer from Aston Villa to the Etihad Stadium in 2021 matched this window with the Premier League champions now hot in pursuit of £100m-rated West Ham captain Rice.
The Hammers are reportedly ready to do business with any buyer that matches their valuation as talks continue behind the scenes with London Stadium chiefs.
Arsenal have already seen two bids rejected – the latest of which was worth £90m including add-ons – but now City are at the table and are seemingly ready to pounce after Ilkay Gundogan opted to join Barcelona on a free transfer.
Last night, reports in Italy from transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio claimed that City were now close to finding an agreement with West Ham over a deal for the 24-year-old midfielder in a major body blow for Arsenal.
The update was received in celebratory fashion by the majority of West Ham fans on social media who are now resigned to losing their hero and have grown frustrated by Arsenal’s approach to negotiations having twice offered below the Hammers’ asking price.
Popular West Ham Twitter fan page @WestHam_Central tweeted a GIF after reading the news, titled: “WESTCHESTERRRRRRRRR CITYYYYY”.
The light-hearted GIF featured a series of Man City and West Ham icons and also alluded to the fact both were crowned champions of Europe in their respective competitions – the Champions League and Conference League – this season.
Grealish couldn’t resist himself and liked the tweet which is still visible on his Twitter account, suggesting he is excited by the prospect of teaming up with his close friend if City are to successfully get the move over the line.
Large numbers of West Ham supporters on the platform appear to favour selling Rice to Manchester City and they have made it clear they would evidently relish the prospect of London rivals Arsenal missing out on their top transfer target in such agonising fashion.
The Gunners remain in the hunt though and could yet move quickly to up their bid to West Ham’s £100m valuation as the transfer poker continues.
Mikel Arteta is totally sold on Rice and wants to build his team around the England international lynchpin, who is set to finally wave goodbye to the Irons after guiding them to their first trophy since 1980.
City do have a potential ace up their sleeve though in the form of Kalvin Phillips, who partnered Rice in midfield for England at Euro 2020.
West Ham are firm admirers of the former Leeds man and he could potentially be floated as a makeweight in a player-plus-cash package for Rice despite his desire to stay at the Etihad Stadium.
Phillips is a ready-made replacement for the departing West Ham captain and if Rice was to arrive at City next season, his playing time would once again be hampered having only started two Premier League games last term.
Rice took the time to congratulate Grealish on his treble success with Manchester City earlier this month on Instagram.
Grealish posted a picture with the Champions League trophy, writing: “The champions league…. The treble, the stuff I couldn’t even dream of. Wow.”
England team-mate Rice was delighted for his compatriot, writing: “What a guy. So happy for you brother.”
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