Manchester United make West Ham midfielder Declan Rice their 'No 1 transfer target'

Manchester United make West Ham midfielder Declan Rice their ‘No 1 transfer target and it has been a frequent topic of discussion among players on England duty’

  • Rice will have the chance to impress against Manchester United on Sunday
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sees the 22-year-old as the missing piece in his team
  • Midfielder was unhappy with West Ham slapping a £100m price tag on him


Manchester United have reportedly made West Ham midfielder Declan Rice their top transfer target. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sees the 22-year-old as the missing piece in his team after the summer signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, according to the Independent.

The report states some of the United players have gently mocked Rice about moving to Old Trafford when they have been together on England duty. 

Manchester United set to swoop for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice next summer

Manchester United set to swoop for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice next summer

Fans have voiced their frustration over the failure to sign a defensive midfielder despite the club sitting top of the Premier League after four games.

And Rive has the chance to show them what they are missing on Sunday when West Ham host Manchester United. 

Rice is focused on this season with West Ham United, although he fully expects to move next summer, according to 90min.com

The 22-year-old is focused on this season with West Ham United despite the transfer talk

The 22-year-old is focused on this season with West Ham United despite the transfer talk

The 22-year-old midfielder was reportedly unhappy with the Hammers slapping a £100million price tag on him.

However, Rice would be open to signing a new deal on the proviso that it included a release clause, which would allow him to leave the club if a fixed figure was met by a potential buyer.

He is regarded as one of the best young holding midfielders in world football, and the player’s camp are aware of interest Europe’s top clubs including Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool. 

Sportsmail understands West Ham offered Rice a significant pay rise in his contract to reward and have not received any offers for him.

Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Man United are interested in signing Rice

Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Man United are interested in signing Rice

His runs until the summer of 2024, and the Hammers do retain the option of extending his contract for a further season to take it to 2025.

The defensive midfielder is a talisman and star player for the Hammers, who narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification last season, finishing sixth to make it into the Europa League.

Rice has ambitions to aim for trophies and regularly play Champions League football. 

As such, with the squad weakened by the loss of Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard and despite his ongoing commitment to the club and his performances for them, Rice is thought to believe he needs to leave to fulfil his ambitions. 

source: dailymail.co.uk