Manchester United targeting Youri Tielemans after West Ham price them out of Declan Rice move
Manchester United are now targeting Youri Tielemans after running into trouble with their pursuit of West Ham star Declan Rice, says the Daily Star.
The Red Devils are known to want the Hammers’ England star or his international partner, Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips (ESPN), but fear missing out on both and have reportedly identified the Leicester City midfielder as the best alternative.
With David Moyes being quoted as saying the £100million price for Rice in the summer was the “sale price” and he now costs much more (Guardian) the Manchester side fear they will be priced out of the race.
The Star reports that with Belgian international Tieleman’s contract set to expire at the end of next season and no prospect of the Champions League football he wants on the horizon under Brendan Rodgers, a £40million deal could be reached between the clubs due to their “good relationship”.
One done, two to go
It is interesting to see that Moyes’ obvious ploy of scaring off potential predators by quoting a huge price might be beginning to work.
The Irons’ inspirational number 41 only has a contract until the year after Tielemans (BBC) and is also believed to want Champions League football.
Failure to strengthen in the January transfer window looks like it might have taken that possibility off the table for next season, although the club still sits in fourth with games in hand yet to shake out.
While the league position at the London Stadium is far superior to Leicester’s 12th place, they have won trophies more recently, including last season’s FA Cup where the midfielder scored the winner against Chelsea.
So in theory the cup holders could just quote a larger price as well, especially seeing as the “good relationship” consists of getting £80million out of them for Harry Maguire.
Fans will be hoping that both Chelsea and Manchester City grow restless in their pursuit of Rice also.
If anything, it is probably the presence of the other two potential bidders that has forced Ralf Rangnick’s side to look elsewhere.
But if it reduces the chances of the 23-year-old leaving nobody in East London will be complaining.
If he does end up going like so many expect, the manager is at least positioning the club to extract maximum value, which is the least Hammers fans will hope for.
In other West Ham news, the club are reportedly unlikely to take further action against Kurt Zouma.