Declan Rice is expected to leave West Ham United at the end of the season amid interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United.
According to a report from Football Insider, West Ham United are expecting Declan Rice to join a UEFA Champions League club at the end of the season after he turned down a number of offers to renew his contract. The 23-year-old midfielder is a target for Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool.
The defensive midfielder has a contract with West Ham until the summer of 2024, and the next two transfer windows will be West Ham’s opportunity to recoup a sizeable fee for their prized asset. The player has been linked with clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea in recent months, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up.
Rice has developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, and he has established himself as a regular starter for England. The 23-year-old was exceptional for the Three Lions during UEFA Euro 2020, and he will be a key player for them at the World Cup as well.
A player of his quality deserves to play at a higher level, and a move to Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool could be ideal for his career.
Chelsea are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements, especially with Jorginho and N’Golo Kante in the final year of their respective contracts. Rice was a youth player for Chelsea, but the Blues decided to part ways with him when he was a teenager. The West Ham midfielder might feel that he has unfinished business at Stamford Bridge.
On the other hand, Jurgen Klopp needs to find quality replacements for club stalwarts Jordan Henderson and James Milner at the end of this season. Both players are past their peaks and they will need to be replaced adequately. Meanwhile, Alex, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are expected to leave Liverpool when their contracts expire in the summer.
Manchester United could use an upgrade on Fred and Scott McTominay as well. And English midfielder Rice has reportedly emerged as a viable target for the Red Devils.
Chelsea certainly have more financial resources compared to Liverpool. And it remains to be seen whether the Blues can fend off the competition from fellow cash-rich clubs Manchester United and secure his services. Any club hoping to sign Rice has to finish in the Champions League positions, and it will be interesting to see if two clubs can finish in the top four the season.
