Arteta views Declan Rice as future Arsenal captain despite Man City interest

Declan Rice is viewed as a future Arsenal captain by Mikel Arteta as the head coach tries to fight off Manchester City’s expected advances for the West Ham midfielder.

The Hammers believe an offer from City for Rice is imminent after the Treble winners’ out of contract captain Ilkay Gundogan decided to join Barcelona this summer.

The Gunners have already seen two formal offers rejected by West Ham, the most recent worth a total £90million.

The bid was worth a guaranteed £75million plus an extra £15m in performance-related add ons.

West Ham want a minimum £100million for their England international, whilst they also prefer the guaranteed portion of the fee to be paid in two instalments by the end of 2025.

Arsenal will return with a third offer closer to West Ham’s demands.

It remains to be seen whether City’s anticipated offer meets West Ham’s criteria, nevertheless news of the Etihad club formalising their interest will come as welcome news to Hammers chairman David Sullivan, who has hoped to trigger a bidding war for his talisman.

To that end, it can also be revealed that Manchester United have enquired for Rice in recent days with a view to offering £40million plus Harry Maguire and Anthony Elanga.

However, United are viewed as outsiders in the race for Rice.

Arsenal, as it stands, remain ahead in the race to land the 24-year-old midfielder.

And Mail Sport understands that Arteta believes Rice will one day become captain of Arsenal if he signs.

There would be no immediate plan to give Rice the captaincy with Martin Odegaard currently wearing the armband.

There is, however, a belief that Rice would immediately become one of the leaders of the Emirates dressing room, a position that would eventually see him become full-time captain.

In the immediate future, Rice would likely become part of the club’s leadership group which currently consists of Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Jesus and Odegaard.

Xhaka is expected to return to Germany with Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

Rice’s preference has, up until now, been to join Arsenal this summer.

He is convinced that he will play a lead role in Arteta’s plans and would arrive at Arsenal knowing he would immediately become central to the way the Gunners play.

Agreeing personal terms will not be an issue.

However, if City’s interest does transpire to be serious then the prospect of playing for the Treble winners and Pep Guardiola could yet appeal to Rice.

Sources have indicated that Guardiola’s expected departure when his contract expires in 2025 will be a consideration for Rice.

But if Rice is convinced that he would play regularly at City and of his long-term position in the team, he could yet give serious consideration to joining City.