Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that Manchester City pushed as far as they could to sign Declan Rice, but ultimately could not match Arsenal's £105 million offer. The City manager admitted for the first time that he really wanted the “exceptional” 24-year-old midfielder, who joined Arsenal from West Ham in the summer.
Speaking ahead of today's Premier League clash at the Emirates, Guardiola revealed that City offered £90 million before pulling out of the race. “Everyone knows we wanted him, we could play him when Rodri could not play,” Guardiola said. “But in the end Arsenal pushed more, wanted him or maybe Mikel was more convincing than me, or the club itself. The offer they got we could not reach it because we thought about Josko Gvardiol in that position and we could not afford to pay that much.”
Guardiola also addressed the scrutiny City faces over spending, contrasting it with how other clubs are perceived. “Normally when City spend this amount of money it is crazy. When others spend it, then it is how smart they are,” he said. “But Arsenal believed they had to do it. That is more than fine. Declan Rice is an exceptional holding midfielder with the national team, so he is an exceptional player.”
With Rodri suspended for the match, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is hopeful his record signing can make a significant impact. “We know what Rodri does,” Arteta said. “But I am extremely pleased with Declan. He has the qualities, the presence, the communication and the understanding to be a top, top player for us in that position.”
