Manchester United are in the race for Declan Rice but will face competition from two other Premier League clubs.
The West Ham captain is set to leave the Irons this summer after nine years at the club. Chelsea and Arsenal are targeting Rice, though the latter is seen as a “more likely” option due to the funds available and Champions League qualification all but confirmed.
That is according to Jacob Steinberg, who also reported that the Red Devils are “very much in the running” and that they had “laid some of the groundwork for a summer move”.
Manchester United also very much in the running for Rice. They’ve also laid some of the groundwork for a summer move
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) January 16, 2023
The 24-year-old has been one of the most sought-after players in England in recent years but has stayed committed to West Ham. The team’s poor form and results this season, which has them sitting in the bottom three of the Premier League, has likely forced Rice’s hand into pushing for a summer exit.
Rice is an established England international
He has been one of Gareth Southgate’s most trusted lieutenants at the past two tournaments and played a key role in the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 and World Cup 2022 campaigns.
In Qatar, he spoke of his desire to play at the highest level in Europe, meaning United will only have a chance of securing his signature if they can see out the campaign with a top-four finish. Given their current form, the possibility of that happening is increasing week by week.
