Manchester United ‘will have NO rivals to sign Declan Rice this summer’ with Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool all unlikely to enter the £100m fight to sign him… and they ‘want West Ham’s star to become a modern-day Paul Ince’
- West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has been linked with a move away this summer
- Manchester United are understood to be keen on the £100million-rated target
- They may now enjoy a clear run at him with a host of rivals unlikely to sign him
- City, Chelsea and Liverpool, according to reports, will not pursue red-hot Rice
Manchester United are set to face no competition in their bid to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice this summer, according to reports, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool all unlikely to enter the fight for the £100million-rated star.
Rice has long since been linked with a move away from the capital at the end of the season as a result of his superb performances for club and country, and United, in their attempts to strength in the centre of the pitch, are targeting him.
It was initially thought that a host of elite sides would battle it out for his signature but, as claimed by ESPN, the Red Devils may now enjoy a clear run at him. Whether they will be able to convince him to join is a different matter, however.
Manchester United are set to face no competition in their chase of West Ham’s Declan Rice
Erik ten Hag may be handed a clear run at the midfielder with United’s rivals not pursuing him
United are said to highly value Rice’s character, and believe he would be able to flourish at Old Trafford under new manager Erik ten Hag. His arrival may also act as an early statement in their new era, with the club expected to splash the cash.
West Ham are almost certain to stick to their eye-watering valuation of their prized asset – a stance which may prove a major stumbling block. The overall package may even be in excess of the British record fee City spent to sign Jack Grealish.
But with City, Chelsea and Liverpool unlikely to pursue Rice, he may find himself limited to just United as the only option on the table if he does decide to move on.
United highly value Rice’s impressive character and believe he would flourish at Old Trafford
City, managed by Pep Guardiola (above), looked likely to attempt to sign £100m-rated Rice
Sources have told the same outlet that United want the 23-year-old to become a modern-day version of former icon Paul Ince. They have earmarked tenacity, determination and leadership as attributes desperately needed in their midfield.
His current club, however, are under no obligation to let him leave.
He has two years left on his contract at the London Stadium, and West Ham also hold the option of extending the deal by another 12 months.
Rice would be able to earn a six-figure weekly salary at United if he were to choose to leave, a significant increase from his current £62,000-a-week deal.
United want Rice to become a modern-day version of Paul Ince to inject them with tenacity
Hammers manager David Moyes last month said that his club were reluctant to allow their academy graduate leave, and the player himself says he is remaining grounded.
‘Playing well comes with speculation. I’ve obviously had two or three top seasons playing with West Ham and the top clubs around the country are always going to be watching,’ Rice told Sky Sports.
‘It’s not just for me, I think it’s the same for every player.
‘I think it’s important not to get too carried away with all that. Obviously we’ve had a good season here with West Ham.
The highly-coveted 23-year-old, however, is remaining grounded despite the speculation
‘There’s been big games here to play so I feel like my focus has always been on that. I feel like if I’ve thought about other things I’d get carried away and that wouldn’t be fair on the team or the manager.’
Rice’s displays this season were rewarded by him finishing third in the vote for the Football Writers’ Associations’ Player of the Year award.
His success is a stark contrast to United, who will miss out on the Champions League after tumbling down the table. They trail fourth-placed Arsenal by eight points.
