As stated by the Sun, Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag is frustrated with the prolonged transfer negotiations affecting his pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.
Ten Hag has expressed a strong interest in signing two midfielders during the ongoing transfer window, with Chelsea’s Mason Mount being one of the targets. It appears that Rice is being considered as a potential addition to the squad alongside Mount.
The Dutch boss has identified Rice as an ideal addition to his team and has been eager to make a transfer offer to West Ham United. However, due to the ongoing takeover situation, it has not been possible for United to make a move for the 24-year-old.
As a result, their rivals Arsenal are said to be in a favourable position to secure the highly-rated midfielder, despite their initial £90 million bid being rejected.
The Gunners are expected to make a fresh approach, while Manchester City is also reportedly preparing to join the pursuit of Rice.
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Meanwhile, Sheikh Jassim is the frontrunner to take over Man United, although the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ test is expected to take around 10 days to complete.
As a result of the current circumstances, Ten Hag is facing limitations in terms of available funds to pursue its key transfer targets.
Rice is one of the Premier League’s top midfielders, praising his exceptional distribution skills and ball control in the centre of the field.
The West Ham captain could be an ideal alternative for Ten Hag’s desired player, Frenkie de Jong, who has no plans to leave Barcelona.
However, the Red Devils have not yet approached Rice, likely due to uncertainty surrounding the available budget for transfers.
Reports indicate that Ten Hag has a limited budget of £120 million, not including potential revenue from player sales. This financial constraint may explain United’s hesitancy to initiate talks for Rice.
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West Ham is reportedly seeking a package worth over £100 million for the midfielder, an amount that United is currently unable to commit to.
The situation could change if a takeover occurs. Sheikh Jassim’s potential ownership could provide the upfront funds needed, which United could later recoup through player sales during the transfer window.
