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

Declan Rice has been eyed as a future Arsenal captain by Mikel Arteta as the head coach tries to fend off Manchester City’s expected progress for the West Ham midfielder.

The Hammers believe a bid from City for Rice is imminent after the Treble winners captain Ilkay Gundogan, who has terminated his contract, decided to join Barcelona this summer.

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

The offer was worth a guaranteed £75 million plus an additional £15 million in performance-related add-ons.

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

Mikel Arteta’s side have already rejected two bids for the West Ham captain this summer

West Ham expect Man City to make a bid for Rice after Pep Guardiola’s (left) captain Ilkay Gundogan (right) was seen leaving the club after helping them secure a famous Treble

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

It remains to be seen whether City’s expected bid meets West Ham’s criteria, but news of the Etihad club formalizing their interest will be welcome news for Hammers chairman David Sullivan, who hoped to start a bidding war for his talisman unleash.

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

United, however, are seen as outsiders in the race for Rice.

Arsenal, as it stands, remain at the forefront of the race to sign the 24-year-old midfielder.

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

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

However, there is a belief that Rice would immediately become one of the leaders of the Emirates locker room, a position that would eventually make him full-time captain.

There is a belief that Rice would immediately be part of the leadership group at Arsenal

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

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

Rice’s preference has so far been Arsenal this summer.

He is confident he will play a key role in Arteta’s plans and arrive at Arsenal knowing that he will immediately be at the center of the way The Gunners play.

Agreeing personal terms will not be a problem.

However, if City’s interest turns out to be serious, then the prospect of playing for the Treble winners and Pep Guardiola could 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 confident that he will play regularly at City and of his long-term position in the team, he could seriously consider joining City.