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.