Manchester United are keen on testing the waters at West Ham, as they look to launch a bid for midfielder Declan Rice.
According to an exclusive report from Evening Standard, Manchester United have once again set their sights on Declan Rice. The Premier League giants are thought to be keen on bolstering their ranks in the summer, especially in the holding midfield and central midfield position, following the defeat to Villarreal in the UEFA Europa League.
Rice has emerged as one of the top targets for not only Manchester United, but also Chelsea, and it is hardly surprising, as the midfielder has enjoyed a terrific spell ever since his breakthrough campaign in 2017/18.
The London native has since notched up almost 150 competitive appearances for the Hammers, even taking over the armband from Mark Noble this summer. The results have been astonishing as well, with the youngster emerging as the leading figure in a season that sees West Ham finish sixth in the Premier League, thereby securing European football next season.
As for Manchester United, their failure in the Europa League combined with their growing problems in midfield and defence is a worry for coach Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer. The number six position, in particular, is a weakness, with Nemanja Matic in the final phase of his career.
The addition of someone like Rice in that regard could go a long way in helping Manchester United secure that position for quite some time. The young Englishman has already impressed the onlookers with his defensive prowess, aggression and leadership that could make him an ideal fit at the base of Solskjaer’s 4-2-3-1.
His presence could complement the more attack-minded players in the likes of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes. Rice’s partnership with Scott McTominay is also another exciting prospect for fans to look forward to.
Unfortunately for the Red Devils, however, West Ham have appeared adamant in keeping hold of their prized asset this summer. David Moyes, in particular, is determined to retain the services of his number one midfielder, hinting that it would require a vast sum of money to prise him away from London.
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The Hammers, though, are on the hunt for Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard, so it would be interesting to see whether the Red Devils can use the English playmaker as leverage, in their attempt to sign Declan Rice in the upcoming summer transfer window.
