Pep Guardiola has admitted that it was Declan Rice’s decision to go to Arsenal, and the Manchester City boss believes it’s an incredible signing.

Arsenal signed Declan Rice from West Ham United earlier in the summer, but for a while it seemed very possible that the England international might end up in Manchester instead.

Manchester City were very interested in Rice, even placing a £90m bid, but they ultimately watched the 24-year-old link up with Mikel Arteta’s squad.

There was some debate about why that was, whether the player had made his desire known or whether City simply hadn’t been willing to pay the asking price.

According to Pep Guardiola, it was Rice’s decision, and Arsenal have signed a top player.

“He decided to go to Arsenal so all the best. He’s a really important player,” Guardiola said.

“He’s a really nice guy and for the national team, he is and will be important. Arsenal bought an incredible player.”

According to previous reports, Arsenal were initially dismayed at City entering the race, but City never received any encouragement from Rice’s camp to match Arsenal’s subsequent third bid, and that’s why they pulled out of the race.

Guardiola’s comments seem to back up that version of events.

City were far from the only club to pursue Rice in 2023, with Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea all linked over the last couple of windows.

Bayern Munich were priced out of a deal, Manchester United’s swap-deal offers didn’t get them very far, and Liverpool avoided getting too involved as they were focusing on Jude Bellingham – who joined Real Madrid.

As for Chelsea, they held a meeting with Rice in January, and whilst he was initially open to returning, he wasn’t sold by their pitch.

The former West Ham United man also worried that Graham Potter wouldn’t be the manager he’d end up playing under, and those fears were ultimately proven right.

By contrast, Mikel Arteta gave Rice a lengthy hands-on presentation, making it clear he would be a staple of the team for several seasons if all goes to plan.

Rice was won over by Arteta’s proposal, making the Gunners his priority as all other bidders faded out of contention.