![](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_912,h_516,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/burnley-fc-v-west-ham-united-premier-league-5c3719e3dc76b1d400000001.jpg?main_image=true&imageType=.jpg)
Manchester City are considering launching a bid for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice as they continue their search for Fernandinho's long-term successor at the Etihad.
The 19-year-old has been one of Manuel Pellegrini's star performers this season after the Chilean manager moved Rice from his natural centre-back position and into midfield, where he acts as the anchorman alongside Pedro Obiang or Mark Noble.
![Malcolm Couzens/GettyImages Leicester City v West Ham United - Premier League](https://media.minutemediacdn.com/process?url=https%3A%2F%2F90min-images-original.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fproduction%2Fleicester-city-v-west-ham-united-premier-league-5c37226fe495e2dd85000001.jpg&filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bw%5D=0.8888888888888888&filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bh%5D=1.0&filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bo_x%5D=0.11047619047619048&filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bo_y%5D=0.0&filters%5Bquality%5D%5Btarget%5D=80&type=.jpg&filters%5Bresize%5D%5Bw%5D=630&filters%5Bresize%5D%5Bh%5D=472)
Meanwhile, City's
As their search continues, Pep Guardiola's scouting team have identified Rice as a possible candidate to slot into Manchester City's first team, and The Sun
It's claimed that it could cost roughly £50m to prise Rice away from West Ham, although any deal for the midfielder would be put on hold until at least the summer as Guardiola wants to build up an in-depth understanding of the teenager throughout the remainder of the season.
The London-born, Republic of Ireland international came through the same youth academy as the likes of Tammy Abraham, Ruben Loftus-Cheek
![Catherine Ivill/GettyImages Declan Rice](https://media.minutemediacdn.com/process?url=https%3A%2F%2F90min-images-original.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fproduction%2Fchelsea-v-west-ham-united-premier-league-5c371e47dc76b17f74000058.jpg&filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bw%5D=0.8932461873638344&filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bh%5D=1.0&filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bo_x%5D=0.00765639589169001&filters%5Bcrop%5D%5Bo_y%5D=0.0&filters%5Bquality%5D%5Btarget%5D=80&type=.jpg&filters%5Bresize%5D%5Bw%5D=630&filters%5Bresize%5D%5Bh%5D=472)
He's gone on to make 54 appearances across all competitions for the first team at London Stadium, claiming one assist during a Carabao Cup win over Macclesfield Town earlier this season.
Source : 90min