Manchester United are reportedly interested in a player exchange plus cash deal with West Ham United for Declan Rice.
According to a report from 90min.com, Manchester United are willing to offer their fringe players in order to convince West Ham United to part ways with their star midfielder Declan Rice.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been a fan of the West Ham midfielder and admires his versatility. The Norwegian has shown keen interest in signing Rice in the last few transfer windows but has not made an official bid for the Englishman yet.
West Ham have been clear in their valuation of the player, with the London club looking for a transfer fee of around £70 million. The midfielder’s representatives, however, feel the deal could be done for a fee of around £50 million.
Manchester United will likely face competition for Rice from their Premier League rivals in Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, with the West London club showing the most interest in signing the midfielder in the last summer transfer window.
However, the Red Devils are hoping to edge out their rivals, as they are ready to offer some of their fringe players to West Ham in exchange for the Englishman. Manchester United could offer the Hammers any of Nemanja Matic and Phil Jones and Jesse Lingard, whom they value at around £30 million combined, with the club willing to offer cash along with a player.
West Ham United are particularly keen on January loan signing Lingard after an impressive return of three goals and one assist in his first four games for the club. The only stumbling block for them would be the high wages these players command at the Old Trafford, with Matic earning £120,000 per week, while Jones and Lingard are on £75,000 per week.
Rice has been in a rich vein of form for West Ham this season and is one of the first names to be picked by David Moyes. The Englishman will want to continue his good run of form and help his team finish in the top four of the Premier Leaguer, as the Londoners look to qualify for the Champions League next term.
Manchester United are on the lookout for a holding midfielder and a centre-back in the summer transfer window and Rice’s ability to play in both those positions perfectly fits the bill for them. However, it remains to be seen if West Ham are willing to do business, more so considering that they could set for Champions League football next season.