Manchester United have been provided with a huge transfer bonus as their long-term target Declan Rice has rejected a new contract offer.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, West Ham defensive midfielder Declan Rice has turned down a third contract offer from West Ham United and is open to leaving the club in the summer.
Rice would not prolong his stay on the terms offered but understands that the club does not want to sell him.
Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City have all been targeting the 23-year-old, though the transfer fee would be the only issue. Rice’s release would cost more than £150 million, according to Hammers manager David Moyes, who also stated that he is not for sale.
Rice’s chances of joining Chelsea are dependent on their own situation being sorted, while Man City would be unlikely to pay for him if they sign Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Braut Haaland this summer.
This might open the door for United to make a move, but it’s uncertain whether new manager Erik ten Hag would want to spend the majority of his transfer money on a single player.
United have been linked with Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, as well as Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans. Phillips would cost roughly £50 million, but considering his affection for Leeds, it’s uncertain if he’d be willing to move to Old Trafford.
Tielemans is out of contract in 2023 and might be available for roughly £25 million this summer. He could be a better choice for United.
Rice is a superb midfielder, but it would be difficult to say that he is worth more than six times as much as Tielemans. The English midfielder is under contract until 2024 with an option for a further year, putting West Ham in a solid position at the moment.
The Hammers may well dig their heels in when it comes to Rice, much like Tottenham Hotspur did with Harry Kane last summer.
