Manchester City look to be stepping up their pursuit of Declan Rice and the West Ham midfielder has suggested he could try to replicate Yaya Toure's role with the Blues.
The Athletic reported on Thursday that City were due to table a formal bid for Rice, acting on a long-standing interest in the 24-year-old, although City themselves were tight-lipped about any move. Pep Guardiola looks set to revamp his midfield options, with Ilkay Gundogan released at the end of his contract and Bernardo Silva linked with a move away.
Rice has enjoyed another excellent season with West Ham, comfortably avoiding relegation after an early scare and captaining his side to the Europa Conference League. He has admitted envy, however, at seeing his England teammates compete for top-level honours and is expected to move on.
Having made his name as a purely defensive midfielder, Rice has since developed his game and now provides a driving force on the ball. Some of his runs are reminiscent of the powerful and athletic Toure - and that's no coincidence.
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"I think a lot of people see me as a simple, basic player who gets it, gives it and protects the back four," Rice told Sky Sports back in 2021. "I know, my teammates know and the manager knows what I’ve got in my locker.
"I want to show that I can be exciting and I can take the ball forward. I have great athleticism.
"I’ve been watching the top players over the years, the Yaya Toures, the Vieiras. There’s a long way to go to get to that level.
"But the way they used to carry the ball up the pitch and drive their teams forward is something I have been trying to learn and add to my game."
Rice would do well to replicate Toure's eight-year spell at the Etihad in which the Ivorian racked up 316 appearances, winning three Premier League titles and the club's Player of the Year award for the 2013/2014 campaign.
The West Ham man has certainly enjoyed more influence going forward, chipping in with five goals and three assists across all competitions this season - a personal record from his seven seasons with the Hammers.
Any pursuit of the midfielder will see City do battle with Arsenal, who have long been considered as frontrunners but have had two bids knocked back. Mikel Arteta's side remain in negotiations and have made Rice their priority midfield target, with West Ham said to be wanting upwards of £100million.
