Pep Guardiola: Everyone knows we wanted Declan Rice

Arsenal beat Man City for the signing of Declan Rice

Before facing Arsenal on Sunday, Pep Guardiola stated that his team would have faced harsh criticism for signing Declan Rice, who was valued at £105 million.

Last summer, the Premier League champions under Guardiola competed for Rice's signature from West Ham United. Manchester City entered the fray with a £90 million offer after Arsenal had two initial bids turned down by the winners of the Europa Conference League.

"Everyone knows we wanted him," Guardiola snapped ahead of City's Premier League clash with Rice's new employers Arsenal on Sunday. "We could play him when Rodri could not play."

"But in the end, Arsenal pushed more, wanted him or maybe Mikel was more convincing than me, or the club itself," Guardiola sighed.

"The offer they got we could not reach it because we thought about Josko Gvardiol in that position and we could not afford to pay that much. That is why." The renowned Spanish midfielder for City is suspended for the third and final game against the Gunners.

"So the perspective for many now is that they will be there for a long time. Declan Rice is an exceptional holding midfielder with the national team, so he is an exceptional player."

Rice claimed earlier this month that Arteta's ambition for Arsenal was what ultimately led to his decision to relocate to north London. More evasive in his explanations, Guardiola argued that City had the resources to pay the £105 million sum that Arsenal reluctantly agreed to, especially after spending £77.6 million on bringing Josko Gvardiol to the Etihad from RB Leipzig.

Guardiola used the discussion of extravagant spending to criticise the alleged backlash that City would face for paying a nine-figure transfer fee.