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West Ham United transfer news: Bayern Munich could pay Declan Rice asking price, tops Thomas Tuchel list - Sky Sports Germany
Declan Rice is at the top of Bayern Munich’s list of transfer targets and the German giants could pay the West Ham asking price, Florian Plettenberg reports.
The Bundesliga side are emerging as the strongest candidates outside the Premier League in the summer race for the Irons captain, with ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel in charge.
While Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are all believed to be interested there is a feeling that the Hammers will struggle to bank their £100million-plus preferred fee, but it appears it could now be on offer from the Allianz according to Plettenberg.
The Sky Sports Germany journalist reported on Twitter Wednesday morning (24 May): “News, Rice: Internally it is said that the poker has begun now!
“Tuchel and the bosses want him as reported and he’s one of the targets who’s top on the list.
“Been told that Bayern could pay the price package demanded!
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“Important: It’s not advanced yet and it’s still unclear what Rice is preferring.”
Interesting
There is a lingering hope that Rice might be convinced to stay at West Ham, which has grown in the wake of the qualification for a first European final in decades, and the 24-year-old reacting to the stands during the 3-1 win over Leeds on Sunday (21 May) in which he scored.
But if he is to go this summer then selling him to Bayern for the price that club is looking for would constitute virtually the ideal outcome.
A huge incoming lump sum coupled with not having to see Rice playing in the shirt of a league rival would make the departure as painless as it could feasibly be.
However, it is widely believed that the England star prefers not only to remain in the Premier League but also in the capital, which would likely make it a struggle for Tuchel and company.
But with the Germans heading into the final weekend facing the prospect of not winning the Bundesliga for the first time in 11 years there may be greater impetus to splash out on a fee and to try to woo a headline signing if they miss out.
It is certainly one to keep an eye on and would be easy to see why West Ham would be eager to entertain such a course of action if Rice can’t be convinced to stay.