As Manchester City and Arsenal prepare to do battle for Declan Rice, the midfielder's comments about England colleague Phil Foden have come into focus.
Rice appears to favour a move to Arsenal over a City switch, as he prepares to leave West Ham after more than 200 Premier League appearances for the club. The Gunners have seen an initial bid rejected, though, potentially allowing Pep Guardiola's side to challenge their rivals for the 24-year-old.
The Hammers captain is currently away on international duty, with Arsenal star Bukayo Saka and City favourite Foden also among those involved. Rice has taken on both as club opponents on plenty of occasions, but one of the two could become a team-mate next term.
Back in 2021, Rice described Foden as "very, very special". He was speaking after the City star impressed for Pep Guardiola's side in their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, setting up the second of Riyad Mahrez's two goals.
Foden would go on to join Rice in England's squad for Euro 2020 that summer. However, while Rice started the final, Foden missed out after sustaining an injury in training.
The pair are preparing for a Euro 2024 qualifying double-header against Malta and North Macedonia. Victories in both would leave the Three Lions with one foot in the tournament in Germany, having claimed wins against Italy and Ukraine to kick off the campaign, though Southgate recognises his own future could hinge on how successful England are next summer.
“My contract is until December 2024 and that was put in place because it would allow everybody some reflection time," the 52-year-old said. "Who knows (if this is my last tournament)?"
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Foden missed the Ukraine game after suffering from appendicitis, and also sat out a number of City's games during their title run-in. However, he returned to find the target in a victory over West Ham in April which helped Pep Guardiola's side stay on track for the title.
The 22-year-old was named on the bench for the FA Cup and Champions League finals, but came on in both games. Foden was called upon during the first half against Inter, replacing the injured Kevin De Bruyne.
If Rice opts to join the Stockport-born starlet, he would be handed an early chance to face his Hammers team-mates. City travel to the London Stadium for their fourth game of the new season, in early September.
Still, the central midfielder is thought to favour Arsenal over the reigning treble winners. A move to North London would ensure there is not too much upheaval, while also providing a likely regular starting spot rather than the fierce competition for places at City.
