According to reports, Manchester United could be preparing to use on-loan midfielder Jesse Lingard as a makeweight in exchange for West Ham’s Declan Rice.
Rice, 22, joined West Ham in 2013 after departing Chelsea’s youth academy.
In what has been one of football’s most impressive breakthrough periods, after forcing his way through the youth ranks, Rice has grown to become of the country’s most highly-rated defensive midfielders.
Arguably one of the biggest factors in the Hammers’ unprecedented European challenge this season, Rice’s stock just keeps on rising.
After featuring in all of his side’s 25 Premier League games this season, it’s safe to say the English midfielder is now a fully established top-flight regular.
Despite being heavily linked with a move back to Chelsea during last summer’s transfer window, Frank Lampard’s sacking and current manager Thomas Tuchel’s appointment seems to have put a stop to any potential move.
However, another club that have been rumoured to be strong admirers of West Ham’s commanding midfielder is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils.
After recently allowing Lingard to join back up with David Moyes on a short-term loan, according to Eurosport, club officials could now be considering using their on-loan star as a makeweight in an attempt to bring in Rice.
The report claims United would only consider allowing their recently rejuvenated midfielder to leave Old Trafford permanently in a deal worth at least £20m.
Would you welcome the proposed swap deal? – Let us know in the comments.
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