Manchester United have emerged as front runners for Declan Rice, according to reports.
Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail claims The Hammers will set a £150m valuation on the midfielder this summer, and they won’t be under any pressure to sell because his current contract doesn’t expire until 2024.
Chelsea were previously interested in the England international, who is a product of their academy, but the London club is in disarray after sanctions were imposed on Russian owner Roman Abramovich.
The future at Stamford Bridge will remain uncertain until they find new owners and it’s unlikely that the successful bidder will donate the same cash flow that made them successful under Abramovich’s ownership.
Moreover, if United were to pay the £150m asking price, Rice would break the British transfer record fee, costing £50m more than Jack Grealish a year ago, when the former Aston Villa playmaker joined Manchester City (via The Guardian).
The current United squad is lacking in a number of departments – not just midfield – and spending a whopping £150m would certainly take up a chunk of the transfer kitty.
As much as I rate Rice and think he would improve our midfield, I would strongly argue that the money could be better spent elsewhere.
Rice was priced out of a move last summer and it could happen again this year.