Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reportedly met with Declan Rice to convince him to move to the Etihad Stadium before the end of last season.
MEN Sport understands the Blues tabled a £90m offer for Rice to West Ham United on Monday evening. Guardiola has been a fan of Rice's for some time but this week marked his first foray into the transfer battle following Arsenal's two rejected bids.
While City's bid is also thought to have been rejected, it is understood it was submitted as a feeling-out offer. The Hammers are hoping for a club to match their £100m valuation for their captain.
According to The Guardian, Guardiola arranged a one-to-one meeting with Rice towards the end of the season after becoming aware of Arsenal's interest in the defensive midfielder. The report adds Arsenal are expected to submit a third bid this week while Manchester United also retain an interest.
ALSO READ: City test Arsenal with £90m Rice bid
Elsewhere, City's loanee goalkeeper Zack Steffen is reportedly on the verge of joining Championship side Leicester City. The American was sent out on loan to Middlesbrough this season after the arrival of Stefan Ortega at the Etihad.
Steffen went on to make 45 appearances for Boro as they missed out on promotion to the Premier League. According to talkSPORT, the 28-year-old will be joining his former assistant manager Enzo Maresca at the King Power Stadium next season.
Previously, Steffen has hinted he would not be returning to the Etihad for the 2023/24 campaign as he hoped to find first-team football at another club.
