Declan Rice

[Coatigan]

I disagree. There are different kinds of ambition and signing for City is really just the easier option on the scale of ambition. Ambition isn’t just taking the easy option of just signing for a team that already wins titles.

If Rice wants to and does sign for Arsenal, his ambition is there in the form of him thinking that he’s the player who can make Arsenal a title winning team. There’ll be a drive there for him to make the difference.

Same with City’s signing of the likes of Gareth Barry; he could have taken the easy option signed for United or Chelsea, he was good enough to play for anyone, but all those early takeover signings chose City to be the players that pushed us on to win titles we’d been missing for so long.

I can’t stand Arsenal, but I won’t begrudge or belittle Rice’s choice if he wants to sign for them.

I don't agree myself, but it is a well put and quite valid take.

What it maybe does inadvertently do though, is make Rice look like a bit of a good intermediate player rather than the top level one he is billed as.

After all, that's what Barry and a couple others that had that type of choice to make were, stepping stone players.

Players like Haaland, Grealish etc, even Bellingham wouldn't even entertain a choice like that, it is between top level clubs expected to win things, not clubs they could maybe help challenge those that are winning things.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Take it you do not follow the Cubs or Sox after that analysis of the Gods of Manchester ;-)

You are correct, sir!

Since leaving Manchester, I’ve seen them both play multiple times, but, seriously….?

Born & Bred Blue. Grew up at Maine Road…literally…was a Junior Blue, played for City as a kid. On my wife’s first visit to Manchester before we got married, she was on the Kippax singing “Fuck off, Villa” with everyone else. Ergo, she passed the matrimony test!!

Both kids been over numerous times for various games, with highlights being getting sunburnt at the 0-0 Huddersfield game with my wife at the Etihad when we lifted the trophy, a week long trip to London with my son, culminating in the 6-0 FA Cup win against Watford, and a CL game with both kids (older girl, younger boy).

Still all City fans and NONE OF US could give a monkey’s about baseball!

;-)

 

[Ric]

Only if Rice wants to go to Arsenal.

This 'Sullivan uses City to get more money' take doesn't make a lot of sense. Why would we tolerate it? We can dismiss the rumour.

Agreed, our interest is clearly genuine. Doesn’t mean we’ll necessarily get him, but I think it’s nonsense to suggest that we’re being used here. As you say, City could’ve easily shot this down over the last 48 hours if we weren’t in for him.

 

[bluemoon32]

Based on nothing but gut instinct, i believe he will sign for Arsenal.
Something about him makes me think he would be happy living in the same house, nothing changing for his family, with not much changing for him than just driving a different way to training every day & enjoying his bank balance getting much bigger.

 

[Coatigan]

Might be wrong but I think we want to sign Rice. If he wants to come, we'll pay what it takes to have him. It's up to him.

I would mostly agree mate. Just really saying how I see the current place it is at, and these claims of an imminent bid.

I read it as coming from WH, from the moment that wording was used, and was a bit cautious with believing our sudden engagement. I don't doubt it could happen though, over the rest of the window, if it came to it.

I personally think he's a player the club are keeping an eye on, but not necessarily targeting. Not until the picture with other signings and outgoings in particular is clearer. And if he has joined Arsenal by then, there will be others in mind, I would guess.

 

[dhruvblue]

We probably have our price 75+15 . West Ham will probably extract 85/90+15 from Arsenal

 

[richards30]

We probably have our price 75+15 . West Ham will probably extract 85/90+15 from Arsenal

i think £100m is the number personally.

 

[Coatigan]

Agreed, our interest is clearly genuine. Doesn’t mean we’ll necessarily get him, but I think it’s nonsense to suggest that we’re being used here. As you say, City could’ve easily shot this down over the last 48 hours if we weren’t in for him.

It Can be both though. City could have a genuine longer term interest, and have that interest 'used' at this point in time to push Arsenal, and in turn then City into bidding more. Which is what this has felt like, particularly with the quick couple claims dismissing it shortly after it made the headlines.

 

[richards30]

Would be a shame if we didnt get him as i think Pep could make him a more box to box player? Good age and seems a cracking character as well? He improves any top team imo and the arse become alot better with him there.

 

[Kinkladze 1]

He was 1/3 on sky 2 days ago now the odds are 6/4 on Sky.