Declan Rice

[HelloCity]

Listen in the end it wouldn’t have mattered as arsenal are willing to pay 105m. But a bit like cucurella and Kane I’m not sure what city we’re anticipating- the price was always 100m if u weren’t willing to pay that why come to the table at all?

Maybe we thought if Rice wanted us then West Ham would have to bargain. Because he’s said he’d join either club it became a bidding war and we didn’t want to be part of it. Rice didn’t show the desire for City only.

 

[Sergio16]

Barella
Wirtz
Bennacer
Szoboszlai
Majer
Zubimendi
Viega
Enzo Le Fee
Caqueret

This assortment of names is more intresting now.

 

[Big Yaya Wilko 12]

We desperately need a midfielder.

What a weird transfer saga. Going so high then backing out straight away.

Not identifying targets before Gundo goes and missing out on top 2 transfer targets.

All very odd. But we have to have faith. Not worked out too bad in the past has it?

But feel this window is a big one and we have to get it right.

 

[skillman]

It’s actually a good negotiating tactic if other clubs see us walk away from deals and not be taken for mugs. It’s why them lot across the road are being quoted 65m for Mount, Chelsea know they’ll fold.

Leipzig will be watching this knowing not to take the piss.

It’s good collateral. But you don’t spend time with the player, his entourage and his club negotiating to then bid way below his valuation just on the off-chance other clubs shit themselves.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Vital Bernardo stays now

Let's be real, retaining Bernardo would be bigger than any signing our league rivals could make this summer.

 

[MarsLlama]

The problem isn't really losing out on Rice, it is that there is probably no option C which leaves us a bit light centrally.

Lost one midfielder and bought in another so I don't really see it that way.

 

[Complex Simplicity]

Thank fuck we've pulled out. We've just won a treble and we are tabling ridiculous bids for Declan fucking Rice. Embarassing.

 

[Sky Blue]

We desperately need a midfielder.

What a weird transfer saga. Going so high then backing out straight away.

Not identifying targets before Gundo goes and missing out on top 2 transfer targets.

All very odd. But we have to have faith. Not worked out too bad in the past has it?

But feel this window is a big one and we have to get it right.

LOL

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

I’ll be interested to listen to when pundits and commentators change his name from Declan Rice to £105M Rice, as they do with Jack………

 

[Tricky_Trev]

What was the point.

Absolutely none whatsoever. Don’t understand what City are doing. It was always going to cost this much to get Rice.

 

[Ste68]

If true and we have decided to move on then fair enough. We will have a maximum in mind and if that's below what West Ham will accept then better to know early and move on. Next move depends on what we had in mind for Rice , if rotation with Stones and Rodri would look at Valverde - can play right back or centre mid defensively, If Gundogan replacement was a very expensive way to replace him and not convinced he was best option at huge price and assumed Foden would begin to play centre mid over course of next couple of seasons (but what do I know).

 

[deano ou812]

Where does this leave arsenal regarding FFP would like to see a breakdown on what they’ve spent,last few seasons.

 

[Ajm1985]

Not really, Arsenal are paying 25m more up front than they wanted to. Reminds me of them lot and Maguire.

That's an absolutely pointless return for City.

 

[CityForever45]

LOL at people overreacting for Declan Rice

 

[Blue and true]

Nonsense. All the club did was ask how much West Ham wanted and then offer what they were willing to pay.

As I said we didn’t even bother talking to Rice until yesterday.

If we genuinely were desperate for him we’d have laid the groundwork months back.

Our middle as it stands has Rodri, stones, Phillips, Bernardo, kdb, kovacic and Foden. Hardly stuck.

The thing that would have made them look silly was to get dragged into an auction for a player who isn’t a game changer.

Few things on the midfield: Rodri could once again be forced to play every game next season, Stones will almost certainly have to drop back into defence at times, Phillips isn't going to come good, Bernie is more than likely off, KDB needs to be carefully managed, which leaves Kova and Phil. We've also lost our most productive midfielder. So, we're going to need a hell of a lot of good fortune to not be stuck next season. The reality is Rice was Pep's second choice for midfield and we've walked away. We need another body in there and it doesn't look like anyone else of the requisite standard is attainable.

 

[FatedBlue77]

This was a pointless endeavour by the club that's for sure. 1st bid same as arsenal's 2nd which was rejected and then pulling out of a deal knowing that west have always maintained at least £100M+ or nothing. Confusing really.

 

[waspish]

Where does this leave arsenal regarding FFP would like to see a breakdown on what they’ve spent,last few seasons.

They’ll sell a couple of players they’ll be fine and breaking ffp is only a fine

 

[DenisLawBackHeel74]

View attachment 84769

I work in graphic design and I'm pretty sure that's Rice's head photoshopped onto Delph photoshopped onto Mangala.

Hahaha that’s funny as fuck…I love this forum

 

[bluemystery]

Happy that, once again, we are not overpaying for players.

 

[DMA's]

Lost one midfielder and bought in another so I don't really see it that way.

We csnt have rodri playing that many games again. We need either a winger or a cm imo.