da casino： The 24-year-old is a better fit for Mikel Arteta's team, but Pep Guardiola is offering guaranteed silverware at the Etihad Stadium

da bet nacional： Declan Rice knows a thing or two about difficult decisions. On February 13, 2019, after nearly a full year of deliberation, he declared for England – despite having represented Ireland at international level for the previous three years. Rice had even been capped three times by the senior side – but, crucially, not once in a competitive fixture.

The backlash was bitter and Rice himself admitted that he could understand the fury of the Irish fans. However, despite talk of "pride" in the jersey and "mixed nationality", he tellingly admitted that he ultimately decided to do what he considered "best for my future".

And if we remove loyalty and integrity from the equation, given they are archaic concepts in modern football anyway, everyone would agree that Rice chose wisely. He has benefited enormously in the intervening four years, both from a sporting and financial perspective.

Rice played in a World Cup last year – Ireland haven't even reached the finals since 2002 – while becoming an England international has also undoubtedly made him a more attractive proposition to sponsors.

GettyPick of the Premier League's elite

One can be sure, then, that Rice will apply the same sense of ruthless rationality to the toughest decision he has had to make since changing his international allegiances. Of course, this time around, Rice has far more options available to him. Having established himself as one of the best players in England, he has the pick of the Premier League's clubs vying for his signature this summer.

When the window opened, it appeared as if Rice was almost certain to join last season's runners-up, with Arsenal getting their first bid in nice and early. However, their opening offer was promptly rejected, as was their second, leading to reports that West Ham were more than a little upset with the Gunners for undervaluing their most prized possession.

AdvertisementGettyArsenal punished for trying to haggle?

A third bid is imminent, but one wonders if Arsenal shouldn't have gone all-in right away, given it has been clear for some time that their fellow Londoners weren't going to accept anything less than £100 million ($128m) for one of the most sought-after midfielders on the market.

For that very reason, it was in the Gunners' interest to wrap this deal up as quickly as possible, given the longer this dragged on, there more likely it was that rivals for Rice's signature would emerge. And that's exactly what's happened.

GettyManchester duo join the race for Rice

On Wednesday, it was claimed that Manchester United were ready to try hijack Arsenal's deal by making Scott McTominay or Harry Maguire a part of the deal. Given the Hammers' reported interest in signing the former anyway, such a player-plus-cash offer could appeal to the Hammers.

But then so could seeing Rice join Manchester City for a hefty fee and Kalvin Phillips move in the opposite direction. West Ham were interested in signing the former Leeds United ace while he was still plying his trade at Elland Road and, according to an report published later on the same day, City are willing to make the England international a part of their bid.

Rice would obviously give serious consideration to a move to the Etihad. Any player with a high ceiling for improvement would obviously be tempted by the prospect of working with Pep Guardiola, the game's most revered coach. But would City really be the right move at this moment in time?

Getty ImagesPhillips' predicament a warning for Rice

His preferred position in front of the backline is presently occupied by Rodri, who is still only 26 and undoubtedly the best defensive midfielder in the world right now.

Given Rice's versatility – he has occasionally been deployed as a centre-back in the past – he could conceivably step into the dual role being played by John Stones, the defender that Guardiola has effectively converted into an auxiliary midfielder. But Stones took to the task like a duck to water – one suspects that he is only going to get better and better. Displacing him would not be easy.

And that's the primary issue here: Rice would not necessarily walk into the City starting line-up, even if they spent £100m on him. Jack Grealish, after all, spent his first season at the Etihad sitting on the bench. Rice really couldn't afford such a lengthy period of adaptation if he wants to be a guaranteed starter for England at next year's European Championship.

The mere fact that City are willing to give up on Phillips just a year after his own multi-million pound move to Manchester should serve as a warning side for Rice. Clearly, he is a better midfielder than his England colleague – but even some of City's best players took time to get used to Guardiola's demands.