Declan Rice was starstruck when Yaya Toure visited him, fans think it's a sign

Fans believe they know Declan Rice's preference for a striker after seeing a clip of the West Ham United star meeting Manchester City legend Yaya Toure.

It looked like Rice would be swapping east London for north London this summer and making the move from West Ham to Arsenal.

The Gunners have clearly been targeting the England star as their top transfer target in the window and they've already had two bids rejected.

They may wish they'd have offered more for him sooner with City having joined the race to sign the Europa Conference League winner.

Manchester United are also reportedly involved to make it a three way tussle though the top two from last season are far more likely to be his destination.

City are said to have the biggest budget in the history of football and so they could really blow their rivals out of the wonder if they wish.

Previously their fans felt a clip of Rice's house that showed he had many City shirts hung up 'proved' he wanted to move to the Etihad Stadium.

Rival fans claimed the 24-year-old had other shirts hung up and that it proved nothing, but they'll struggle with the Toure evidence.

A video showed how shocked and delighted the player was when Toure visited his house, even claiming he based his game on the former City star, and calling him an idol.

Declan Rice star struck by Manchester City legend Yaya Toure being in his house pic.twitter.com/VDSgO5qV7N

— West Ham (C)entral 🏆 (@WestHam_Central) June 22, 2023

"There's a lot of City shirts on that wall," noted an Arsenal fan.

"Declan to City confirmed!!! Arsenal in the mud," said another supporter.

A third simply added: "Agent Yaya!"

"I bet he was the same when Rob Holding walked in to be fair," joked a City fan.

"I need Uncle Yaya to make a single phone call," commented a fifth enthusiast.

On the famous Toure story another replied: "Looks like Pep finally sent him a birthday cake and now he is out here doing recruitment."

And one more declared: "He is coming to the Etihad!"

Another reason for Rice to head up to the north west could be the impending arrival of his best mate to the area, with Mason Mount expected to join Manchester United.

Some fans thought the news of his move had basically been announced by his fitness coach, but it turned out to just be a fan who doesn't even work with the Chelsea star.

Both men are expected to leave their London clubs in the coming days and could be reunited in Manchester.