Manchester City could be set to make a massive offer for Arsenal target Declan Rice, according to The Guardian.

The newspaper has revealed that the Gunners’ have had an £80m opening bid rejected by West Ham for the England international.

It is believed that the Hammers were hoping that Mikel Arteta’s side would table a proposal that totaled £100m (including add-ons). However, they have been left disappointed with Arsenal’s initial offer.

A source has told the Guardian, though, that City “could blow Arsenal out of the water” with a bid of their own.

Arsenal fans should take these claims with a large pinch of salt

While City are said to be interested in Rice, suggestions that they will now make a formal approach for the 24-year-old should be treated with caution.

West Ham want a bidding war to increase the amount they will receive for the player, and they are likely to be using City’s name to pressure the Gunners into increasing their offer.

Rice wants a move to the Emirates

It is been widely reported for a number of weeks that the midfielder is keen on making the switch to North London.

There have been a whole host of other clubs interested in Rice, including Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Newcastle and Chelsea, but it appears he has his heart set on the Emirates.

That should give Arsenal an even stronger hand in negotiations, knowing that the player will reject overtures from other teams.

Of course, City’s presence in talks does complicate matters. If the Premier League champions do indeed formalise their interest with a bid of their own in the coming days, it will give Rice a decision to make, but supporters should be quietly confident for the time being that the Gunners are still the favourites for his signature.