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.