Declan Rice has already confirmed his Man Utd’s shirt number as the Reds set to return with £100m + £5m record offer, player rejected Man City yesterday
Manchester United are set to enter the race for Declan Rice by launching an audacious swap proposal, according to reports. An offer from the Red Devils would follow big-money bids from both Arsenal and Manchester City, who are doing their utmost to prise the midfielder away from West Ham this summer.
Rice capped off last season in fairytale fashion, lifting the Europa Conference League and returning to a rapturous reception in east London. Many now expect him to take on a new challenge, having previously discussed a desire to play Champions League football.
With the top three clubs in the Premier League all after him, the 24-year-old has no shortage of options. Arsenal and City have both submitted proposals worth £90million to West Ham, who are thought to be holding out for a nine-figure sum.
City reportedly lodged their offer on Monday, which included preferable payment terms and a higher guaranteed fee than the proposal tabled by the Gunners, but the door remains ajar after West Ham rejected both.
According to The Telegraph, United are considering a ‘player-plus-cash’ offer that could include either Harry Maguire or Scott McTominay to try and capitalise on the situation, although a request for more time may not go down well at the London Stadium. Erik ten Hag’s side have long been linked with Rice, who has 43 England caps on his CV.
But ownership uncertainty at Old Trafford has left them without a signing so far this summer. Including the likes of McTominay or Maguire in the deal – both of whom have been linked to West Ham in the past – could see United move ahead of Arsenal and City.
Rice has made almost 250 senior appearances for West Ham after breaking through six years ago. The Englishman is now deemed to be one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has made him a top target.
Although the Hammers are standing firm on their valuation, club chairman David Sullivan admitted after the Conference League final that the player will leave before the start of next season. “We promised him he could go,” he told talkSPORT.
“He set his heart on going. You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements.
“It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.”
