Manchester City have officially entered the race to sign Declan Rice after submitting their first bid today for the England international.

Following the departure of creative midfielder Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona yesterday, the Cityzens feel the need to act quickly by filling the huge hole left by the German’s departure in the center of the field and have submitting a bid for Rice worth a total of $115m.

Declan Rice wanted by Premier League trio

The structure of City’s offer is likely to be $95m paid over two installments plus $20m in add-ons, which are thought to be realistically achievable according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Premier League champions agreed a fee with Chelsea for fellow central midfielder Mateo Kovacic yesterday but the loss of Gundogan is thought to be so great they have gone back in the market for Rice too.

Premier League rivals Arsenal, whom City battled it out with for the title last season, submitted a similar offer for Rice earlier this week but their offer was rejected after it was deemed the add-on installments were more difficult for the Gunners to achieve.

City’s bitter rivals Manchester United are also expected to submit a bid for the England star, with a player-plus-cash deal including either Scott McTominay or club captain Harry Maguire due to be tabled soon.