Treble winners Man City to rival Arsenal for Declan Rice's signature; England international viewed as replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, who is on verge of joining Barcelona; Arsenal preparing third bid for Rice after opening two bids were rejected; Man Utd also interested in midfielder.
Rice - top for recoveries, interceptions and distance carrying the ball in the Premier League last season - could take on the role with authority. He would be a first-class defensive midfield partner for Rodri, able to break up play but also deliver from deep on the ball. There is then Rice's history as a centre-back and the flexibility he could offer Guardiola by dropping into the backline.

It would be an exciting switch for Rice and Man City - and an ominous one for their rivals. With Mateo Kovacic a £30m replacement for the outgoing captain Ilkay Gundogan, a Rice-Rodri combination could just take the Man City engine room up a level again next season.