are set to formally enter the race to sign from under Arsenal’s noses, but the captain is understood to hold several reservations over joining the champions.
Until now, Rice’s preference has been to join the Gunners where he would play a lead role in Mikel Arteta’s emerging young team.
The Arsenal boss is said to view Rice as a future club captain and he would immediately slot into the club’s leadership group.
Arsenal laid the groundwork for Rice’s move to the Emirates Stadium as far back as January but are struggling to agree a fee with West Ham and have already seen two bids knocked back by their east London rivals.
The bidding war Hammers’ chairman David Sullivan anticipated when he went public with his decision to sell Rice earlier this month is yet to materialise but City are now poised to submit their opening offer.
but Rice is said harbour several concerns about a move to the recently crowned treble winners with Pep Guardiola’s future chief among them.
Playing for a coach widely regarded as the best of his generation appeals to Rice, but the Spaniard appears set on calling time on his trophy-laden reign in the summer of 2025.
While Rice’s role at Arsenal looks clearly defined, meanwhile, the picture at City is a little less certain given Rice’s skillset closely matches Rodri’s who is one of, if not the first name on Guardiola’s teamsheet.
Rice is aware of the problems Kalvin Phillips has encountered at City and the lack of game time his England teammate was afforded last season following his move from Leeds United.
Manchester United, meanwhile, maintain an interest in Rice but are considered as rank outsiders having muted the idea of player plus cash deals which would include the likes of Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay.
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