Pep Guardiola has already made his feelings clear about Declan Rice, calling him “an exceptional player” last month.
Perhaps out of all his potential destinations this summer, Manchester City wasn’t one of the strongest shouts. Mateo Kovacic looks set to come in as a direct replacement for Barcelona-bound Ilkay Gundogan.
The City captain was tipped to leave the Etihad this summer, with Bernardo Silva likely to follow through the exit door too. Rice would not be a direct replacement for the Portugal maestro, should Pep Guardiola sanction a move for the West Ham captain.
