Manchester United scouts talk about Declan Rice as new West Ham United transfer update emerges
Declan Rice is quickly emerging as Manchester United’s number one transfer target, with his performance for West Ham United last week sending chins wagging within the club’s scouts, according to The Sun.
The Hammers all but confirmed their Premier League status with a gritty and fully deserved 1-0 victory over the Red Devils, with Rice delivering a man-of-the-match display in the middle of the park.
Sky Sports shared on Tuesday (9 May) that West Ham will allow the 24-year-old to leave the London Stadium if they receive an offer worth £120million from a Champions League club.
After being left with plenty to ponder by Rice’s impressive performance against them last week, a source told The Sun of Manchester United’s interest in the midfield.
“Rice is fast emerging as United’s number one summer target,” he said.
“He completely ran the game and United’s coaching staff and scouts were all talking about him after the match.
“There’s a growing belief that Rice is interested in leaving at the end of the season and United believe they simply have to ensure he heads north and not to Arsenal or Chelsea.
“The club regard him as a player they could potentially build a team around.”
Takeover dependent?
After reports of West Ham’s sky-high valuation of Rice once again hit the headlines this week, it remains to be seen which clubs can actually afford to sign him this summer.
Although Manchester United may place the England international as their number one target, any move for him will likely depend on whether the takeover of the club is completed in time for the summer transfer window.
Without a fresh injection of cash and with the club’s transfer plans currently clouded in uncertainty, it is unlikely they could prop up £100 million plus for the West Ham United captain – especially considering they are in need of a centre-forward and more options in defence.
It remains likely that both Arsenal and Chelsea are favourites for the midfielder’s signature this summer.
This is a transfer saga that is likely to have many twists and turns over the coming months, and one more factor has just been added into the mix through the Red Devils’ interest.