Report: Txiki eyeing 'magnificent' star for Pep as club may now consider cut price Man City bid

According to The Telegraph, Manchester City and sporting director Txiki Begiristain may have been handed a boost in their pursuit of West Ham United star Declan Rice.

The Sky Blues and manager Pep Guardiola, as things stand, will see Eastlands legend Fernandinho leave at the end of 2021/2022 after two consecutive one-year contract extensions.

Brazil’s midfield dynamo has been a colossal presence in both the City dressing room and on the field, playing a major role in their dominance of the Premier League at times over this last decade.

However, thanks in part to the imperious performances of Rodri, Fernandinho has seen his game-time fairly limited under Guardiola this season as he looks set to part ways in the summer.

As such, Begiristain and co have been tipped to search the market for a possible heir who could rotate with Rodri as the midfield pivot, with one such target being Irons star Rice.

As per The Telegraph, after West Ham’s quiet transfer window, there are question marks surrounding the England international’s future as teammates fear he could be tempted by a summer move away.

It is believed that City, Man United and Chelsea are all targeting Rice as the Hammers brace for summer bids.

In a possible boost for the Sky Blues, after West Ham’s star man rejected two new deal offers last summer, his club are likely to be forced to consider ‘big bids’ which ‘fall short’ of their £100 million valuation.

Out of all potential targets who would slot in seamlessly to Guardiola’s star-studded midfield, Rice may well be the perfect candidate considering his homegrown status and obvious quality.

Called ‘magnificent‘ by Match of The Day pundit Gary Lineker recently, the 23-year-old comes with plenty of sell-on value