Declan Rice

[Vester]

As someone who dont rate Rice I'm happy City finally are pulling out of this ”race”. Not sure why we got involved at all, everyone in world football knew he would cost 100m+ minimum, especially since big spenders Arsenal had him as their number one target, except apparently City for some reason who did ourselves no favors being involved in this bidding. Just told the world we have at least 90m to spend on a midfielder and gave our league rivals a boost by letting them ”win” a race about player against us. We would have been in a far better position if we had just not entered at all.

With that said, we are treble winners and are obviously doing most things right. We will most likely be the favorites in every competition we enter next year, probably the year after that as well. But its hard to argue many things have gone right so far this transfer window after missing out on Bellingham, getting our extension offer rejected by our captain, replacing him with a player who is decent but a clear downgrade, and now this whole Rice saga.

I'm sure we will have a good transfer window in the end, we usually do, but the start of this summer window has been far from convincing. Signing Gvardiol would be a step in the right direction against a good window.

 

[mcfcpride]

Arsenal buying the league with their fucking oil money and a team full of mercenaries, how are we supposed to compete? Ruining Football.

 

[Brewster's millions]

I’m not terribly concerned about missing out on Rice. Decent enough player but not worth 105m in my view.

Kovacic is I think a good player and a very good buy for the money.

However we really do need to buy another midfielder given Gundogan’s departure and KDB’s fitness issues. Phillips is nowhere near the required level and we can’t go into another season without a proper alternative to Rodri.

 

[BillyShears]

No stopping the decline when Pep does leave. It’s something we all have to accept. This is as good as it gets imo. His departure will be brutal.

I don't think City as an organisation will think like that, and I certainly don't think like that. The decline will happen if the club do stupid things like letting the squad age unnecessarily, and not refresh the squad in preparation for his exit.

 

[p.taker]

100m for a good midfielder, far from great with 1 year left on his contract. Seems madness to me.

Two years. There is a club option that West Ham would obviously leverage

 

[loio]

I find it hard to read that one, its not like we were first in like for Cucu as well.

 

[BlueRockape]

If we wanted him, I'm convinced we'd have him.

Rodri and Phillips will do, Rodri's already one of the best in the world. Onto sorting out the backline

Or if he wanted us ?
I don't think he did

 

[Edghill OG]

Glad we have walked away as he’s not worth more than £75 million & that’s down to being English. Good player but he’s not world class.

The fact he selects Arsenal over City tells you everything. Let’s see what he wins over the next few years.

Agree with your first part.

Don't see the issue with him choosing Arsenal though. London lad and probably wants to stay in the area. Probably realises the likes of KDB and Rodri will start ahead of him and he might not even feature regularly. I imagine he'll start every game at the Arse. Prefer players that want to play every game and not just be part of a squad picking up medals and raking in the money. That should be applauded not derided for a lack of ambition.

 

[Impeccable One]

Honestly, I’ve never felt such relief when pulling out

 

[meeesh]

Honestly, I’ve never felt such relief when pulling out

Never good leaving it in to soak