"Pep indicated..." - Arsenal fan's chance encounter with Guardiola provides Declan Rice transfer clue

An Arsenal fan's chance encounter with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola could provide a key clue over the transfer destination of Declan Rice.

Both Arsenal and City are battling to sign Rice, who is set to leave West Ham this summer.

Arsenal have already submitted two bids for the 24-year-old, with the second believed to be worth £80 million plus £10 million in add-ons. However, both proposals were turned down by the Hammers.

According to Sky Italy, City are prepared to pay £75 million up front to sign Rice plus £15 million in add-ons - the same amount as the Gunners' bid. They are said to be in advanced talks over the signing of the midfielder.

But talkSPORT claim that the Hammers have encouraged Arsenal to submit a third bid in order to bring an end to the saga, having been informed that Rice prefers a move to north London.

But if that deal doesn't materialise, it appears likely that the West Ham captain will be playing his football for the reigning treble winners next season.

And one Arsenal supporter has provided details of a chance meeting with Pep Guardiola - and claims it could hold the key to a major transfer.

Pep Guardiola meeting provides transfer 'clue'

Taking to Twitter, Arsenal supporter @MohitHBhatia provided photo evidence that he had met the Spanish manager ahead of pre-season getting underway.

He also claimed that Guardiola had indicated that Arsenal would sign a 'certain midfielder' this summer - although didn't give the name of the player.

Met this legend today, congrats on the treble #Pep. As football fan love your style of play, as an arsenal fan, Pep indicated we'd get a certain midfielder 👀. Great start to our euro trip#Declan #Rice #AFC pic.twitter.com/tPrYN2y0XX

— Mohit Bhatia (@MohitHbhatia) June 25, 2023

He tweeted: "Met this legend today, congrats on the treble Pep. As football fan love your style of play, as an Arsenal fan, Pep indicated we'd get a certain midfielder."

Of course, it is worth taking the claims with a certain pinch of salt as to whether Guardiola would give away key transfer details on holiday.

But Gunners supporters will be hoping that the Spanish boss does miss out on signing Rice for City, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta desperate to seal the signing of the 24-year-old England international.