Newcastle United have joined Chelsea and Manchester United in the race to sign West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.
According to Caught Offside, Newcastle United are plotting an ambitious move for West Ham United captain Declan Rice as they want to build the team around the English international. The player is also a target for Chelsea and Manchester United, with the Hammers demanding £80 million for him.
Rice is destined to get a big-money move next summer as he has not been convinced by West Ham’s prospects. The 23-year-old is billed to be the cornerstone of England’s next generation of talented midfielders, and it is pretty obvious a talent like him would only want to elevate his level from now on.
Chelsea and Manchester United have both been linked as a possible destinations for the player. Both clubs have the knack of snatching talented prospects from their fellow English clubs. Manchester United brought in Casemiro from Real Madrid, but there will be significant room if a deal is to be agreed. Meanwhile, Chelsea could lose N’Golo Kante and Jorginho in the summer. So a deal for Rice thus seems justified.
Since their takeover, Newcastle have shown every possible way to follow the path of Manchester City, who have taken football to a new magnitude in the last few years. The Magpies’ owners have injected pretty rigorously in every aspect, and the results have been pretty evident as in their first full season, they have managed to breach the top four by playing a delightful brand of football so far.
Eddie Howe has managed to accumulate a herd of talented players. But he still needs sufficient bodies to turn Newcastle into a consistent winning machine. Bruno Guimaraes has been one of the stand-out players since his arrival from Lyon last January. And pairing him up with Rice in the middle of the pitch would see some high voltage battle in the Premier League.
The Hammers have maintained a tough stance regarding their position with Rice’s future. But if West Ham fail to secure his long-term stay they would be forced to cash in on the midfielder next summer.
His price could further skyrocket if he rises to the occasion in the upcoming FIFA World Cup. But Newcastle should have no problem in grabbing their target if they pay West Ham a staggering £80 million for his services.
It would be hard to negotiate, given the player’s tender age and bright future. And Newcastle might have to pay a premium as English players always do have substantial hype to their name. The competition from Chelsea and Manchester United will also keep them on their toes.
