West Ham actively made aware of Manchester City development concerning Arsenal target Declan Rice

Manchester City have now actively made West Ham United aware of their interest in club captain Declan Rice, according to a report.

The Premier League champions are looking to build on their agreement for Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic with yet more fresh faces in the centre of the park, as they prepare for life without club captain Ilkay Gundogan.

The Germany international midfielder is expected to confirm an exit from the Etihad Stadium after seven years with the club, and join FC Barcelona on a free transfer upon the expiry of his final Manchester City contract.

But as uncertainty over more names in Pep Guardiola’s midfield continues to grow during the ongoing summer transfer window, so does City’s interest in West Ham’s Declan Rice – who is also wanted by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

According to a report from Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, news of Manchester City’s intention to formally table an offer for Declan Rice has now sharpened the focus for Emirates Stadium officials to get a deal for their number one transfer target over the line as soon as possible.

It is further detailed that the Hammers have been expecting an official offer from Manchester City for Rice, although so far there has been no official confirmation of a formal proposal from the treble winners.

However, West Ham – according to the Mail – have actively been made aware of Manchester City’s interest in their legendary club captain.

With Rice expected to fetch a transfer fee in the region of £100 million this summer, City’s overall spending could exceed the £200 million mark following the conclusion of their other expected arrivals.

Etihad officials are hard at work looking to finalise and complete a move for Croatia international Josko Gvardiol, adding the central defender to his international teammate in Mateo Kovacic at the football club this summer.

The 21-year-old centre-back is likely to become the most expensive central defender in the sport’s history, as RB Leipzig aim to secure a fee north of £85 million for a name that has been courted by the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea in the past.

Should Josko Gvardiol complete a switch to the Etihad Stadium this summer, it is anticipated that he will replace Aymeric Laporte, with the Spain international weighing up his options in search of more guaranteed frequent game-time at one of Europe’s prominent clubs.