Why Declan Rice Chose Arsenal Transfer Over Man City

Declan Rice discloses the main factor that caused him to choose Arsenal over Manchester City in the summer of 2023.

In a long interview with The Athletic, Rice gave a detailed explanation of why, despite interest from reigning European champions Manchester City at the same time, he wanted to sign with Arsenal last summer and avoid playing in the same midfield as Rodri.

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Manchester City was prepared to spend £90 million ($112.8 million) on Rice, although West Ham had turned down similar approaches from both Arsenal and them. However, City decided to back out of the bidding when the Gunners raised the price to £105 million ($131.6 million), making Rice the most expensive British football player ever. The England midfielder might have selected Arsenal even if they had continued to compete after that.

“This project seemed more exciting and that’s why I chose to come to Arsenal, because I believe we’re on to big things here,” Rice explained.

On the rivalry that developed with Rodri now that they have remained opponents instead of team-mates, he added: “I enjoy it. We’re different players, I feel. With Rodri, he was born in Spain, he’s always been a natural No 6. You can just tell by the way he plays that he’s worked under Pep [Guardiola] for so long. He’s a lot more structured than I am. I’d say I’m a lot more off-the-cuff. Obviously, this season I’ve been more structured. But in terms of the way I play, I feel like…being free a little bit more. There are different things that we complement each other on – but no doubt, he’s the best in the world.”

Arsenal wants to win the Premier League for the first time in their 20-year history, but City is in their way. The Gunners are ahead by one point, but their opponents still have a game left that might give them the advantage. As well as playing Bournemouth and Everton, Arsenal‘s biggest test likely to be a trip to Manchester United in their penultimate game on May 12. If that match was lost, City would very certainly win the title.