Man Utd learn Moyes bluffing over Declan Rice fee, as club-record move ready to thrill Ten Hag
Manchester United have made West Ham midfielder Declan Rice a firm transfer target and are ready to explain why to Erik ten Hag, reports have claimed.
The Hammers midfielder has become one of the Premier League’s standout players in recent seasons. He is also a regular England international and has gained Gareth Southgate’s trust.
West Ham boss David Moyes has furthermore spoken effusively about the midfielder’s current level – and his potential.
Rice‘s performances for club and country have attracted significant transfer attention from elsewhere. Moyes has regularly insisted that £100million was the “sales” price for him last summer.
The Scottish coach more recently claimed that West Ham will demand £150million for his star man.
According to 90min, though, Moyes is bluffing and Hammers owner David Sullivan would accept £120million.
And Man Utd are therefore willing to add Rice to their team in a club-record deal. The England star’s current contract runs until 2024 and West Ham have the option of an extra year.
However, Rice and his camp have reportedly told West Ham that they see this summer as the ideal time to leave.
90min adds that Man Utd want to make Rice their marquee summer signing for incoming new manager Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils have interviewed the Ajax boss and are now closing in on bringing the 52-year-old to Old Trafford.
Elsewhere, The Telegraph claims that Ten Hag is ready to stamp his own mark on his new club’s transfer shortlist. So far, though, Man Utd have their targets set in stone and are ready to explain their reasoning to Ten Hag.
A source told the newspaper: “We’re pretty clear on who we want and why and we’ve had conversations with them.
“When the manager is named it’s a conversation with them to say: ‘Here are our options and recommendations and these are the reasons why. We’ve done the work.”
Man Utd have more transfer targets
As well as Rice, Man Utd have Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Aston Villa’s John McGinn on their radar.
Club chiefs want a new striker and two ‘accomplished, high-energy midfielders’.
The Red Devils appreciate that the former two deals will prove difficult, but they are ready to back Ten Hag even without Champions League football.
Man Utd currently sit seventh in the Premier League table in the hunt for a top-four finish.
They still have to play Arsenal, who are in fifth, and third-placed Chelsea, having beaten fourth-placed Tottenham recently.
Declan Rice must focus on West Ham
Amid the links with Man Utd, Rice must continue to focus on the task at hand with West Ham.
They sit sixth in the Premier League and a top-four finish is still in sight for them.
However, the ace up the club’s sleeve is that they can qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.
West Ham face Lyon in the quarter-finals ahead of a potential semi-final against Barcelona.
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