Manchester United could look to capitalise on West Ham United’s recent poor run of form.
The Red Devils, who remain hopeful of securing a top-four place, are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Hammers’ skipper Declan Rice.
That’s according to a recent report from The Sun, who claims West Ham’s dented chances of qualifying for Champions League football next season, could open the door for United to launch an eye-watering £100m summer bid.
United, now led by German tactician Ralf Rangnick, are desperate to reinvent their playing style as they look to restore themselves back to their former glory.
Read more: Rangnick: Edinson Cavani going nowhere in January
However, identifying top talent capable of challenging for a domestic title is easier said than done, but when it comes to recruiting a genuinely world-class defensively minded midfielder, there are few as good as Rice.
Despite being just 22-years-old, Rice, who is already a fully-fledged England international, is well on course to become one of football’s most valuable players.
Understood to be highly valued by the Hammers’ hierarchy, whichever side decides to go all out for the 22-year-old will need to dig deep into their pockets in order to be successful.
However, although previously tipped to be available for £100m, speaking earlier this year (as quoted by Metro), when asked if he’s worried some of the league’s big hitters may look to lure Rice away from London, manager David Moyes said: “No I don’t, because there was a bargain to be got with Declan at £100m. That bargain’s now gone.
“So we have a lot of really good players at this football club. I think while you’re building and developing, people might always come and look at your players. But it’s good that they are because that tells us that they’re doing well.”
Undeterred by Moyes’ statement as they look to make the first major signing post-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United are believed to be using the January transfer window to work on a deal for Rice that they will then put forward to West Ham next summer.
As if RICE would go to the car crash that is Manchester United!
100 MILL ??Wakey Wakey. Were he to be sold-which he wont be youre looking about 130-150 mill. Cloud cuckoo land. Ignore what moyes said ! Good luck on that one. And cut the arrogance your just another premier league club now. Also rice has said hes not interested in moving to Manchester. Chose to ignore that again did we ?And where did all this start ? THE SUN Rightio. GRAB THE STRAWS.The days of manu being what they were are long over. Who told you you were going to end up 4th anyway. you couldnt make it up.Except in manchester !!!!!!!!!!
He won’t be sold. Rio Ferdinand. Frank Lampard. Joe Cole. Michael Carrick. Sure.
That was then. And neither Carrick or Ferdinand were bought from West Ham. Sure ?
Thanks for the history lesson Son.
Different landscape, you’ve been blown outta the water by the petro dollars, average at best now.
Here we go again. Transfer season silly news. Yawn.