According to the Guardian, Manchester United are prepared to compete with Arsenal and Chelsea in order to sign West Ham striker Declan Rice this summer.
As Erik ten Hag looks to further improve his midfield, the Red Devils have already begun to work on beating their Premier League rivals to the signature of West Ham United captain.
Christian Eriksen and Casemiro were signed by Ten Hag in his first transfer window as United manager, which significantly improved the team’s performance.
It is known that Eriksen’s free transfer was only a temporary solution. The club wanted to sign Frenkie de Jong as a long-term target.
The Dutchman hopes that the opportunity to play in the Champions League will encourage him to bring in another box-to-box midfielder as he steps up his rebuild this summer.
Ten Hag is said to have focused on Rice now that De Jong is looking comfortable at the Nou Camp. Arsenal seems to be Rice’s more likely destination than Chelsea, particularly now that the Gunners’ return to Europe’s top competition is assured.
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The 24-year-old was ignored by Chelsea for three consecutive summers, which will give Arsenal the opportunity to sign him because they have the money to do so.
However, United are now “very much in the running” to sign Rice. His contract will expire in July, and West Ham had previously valued him at £150 million. As a result, pressure is growing to sell their most prized asset.
Ten Hag is expected to give priority to a long-term striker to succeed Cristiano Ronaldo; therefore, United may be given the transfer ultimatum. The Red Devils will probably have to decide between a star striker and a midfielder after spending more than £200 million in his first summer.
The replacement for David de Gea is also a top priority, despite the Spaniard being close to signing a new deal. Financial Fair Play regulations are intended to restrict the club’s spending even though new owners are expected to take over the reins at Old Trafford.
