Manchester United are reportedly the front-runners to sign English midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham United.
According to the Daily Mail, West Ham United have given up on convincing Declan Rice to sign a new deal with them and are ready to sell him in the summer. However, the Hammers are holding out for a massive £150 million for the English international, a British record sum.
Rice has grown into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the past few seasons, attracting interest from bigger English clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester United. He is an integral part of David Moyes’s plans at the club, helping them fight for UEFA Champions League spots in the last two seasons.
Manchester United are in desperate need of a major squad overhaul in the summer, and one of the first things on their agenda is a central midfield signing. They have been short on quality midfield options for some time now. And with Paul Pogba closing in on exiting Old Trafford, they are all the more in need to sign a world-class midfielder who can orchestrate play from the centre of the park.
Rice was on their wishlist last summer as well, but a move didn’t materialise. The 23-year-old will have two years remaining on his contract with the Hammers after the ongoing season, and he has rejected all advancements to sign an extension with them. This has alerted quite a few English clubs, including both Chelsea and Manchester United.
West Ham’s asking price could put off some clubs, but Manchester United are believed to be heavily interested in the midfielder. The Red Devils are ready to play the waiting game, hoping that the Hammers will lower their asking price if no other clubs show interest. They are thus believed to be the front-runners to sign him in the summer.
While Rice himself has been rejecting West Ham’s advances, he has also been urged by many to depart the London Stadium to further his career, which ought to keep Manchester United in the hunt.
Whether things will play out as easily as the Red Devils hope remains to be seen. But with a long-standing interest in the midfielder, Manchester United will want to make him their statement signing of the summer transfer window by bringing Rice onboard at Old Trafford ahead of the 2022/23 season.
