Declan Rice is going to be one of the most-wanted players during the summer but in a rather shocking claim, ESPN are suggesting that Manchester United are no longer interested in signing the midfielder.
ESPN’s Mark Ogden wrote: “Sources have told ESPN that West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is a target[for United], but with a likely valuation upwards of £80m, efforts will be made find a less expensive alternative.”
Man United along with Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been heavily linked with the England international and United are said to be amongst the favourites to sign him at the end of this season.
Manchester United along with Chelsea have been chasing Declan Rice for more than a year whereas Man City and Liverpool are the latest entrants to the party. This is why this new update is a bit hard to digest.
Man United and Man City both not interested in signing Declan Rice?
Man United are not the only side who have seemingly pulled out of this race since, in a recent update, Claret and Hugh had claimed that Manchester City are also not interested in signing the West Ham United man.
😯 Declan Rice's error for Newcastle's equaliser on Saturday was the first he has committed that has directly cost West Ham a goal in a Premier League game since April 2018 (vs Arsenal). Rare. pic.twitter.com/hWnH2F0feo
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) February 21, 2022
They have claimed, as quoted: “Pep is really impressed by Rice but he knows the club need to prioritise a world-class forward this summer after playing two seasons without a recognised striker.
“The overall package to sign Haaland means City can’t afford to sign Rice as well. They believe West Ham are well within their rights to demand what they want for him, but City can’t make the numbers work and will sign a cheaper defensive midfield option instead.”
Man City lack a world-class centre-forward so they are clearly prioritising that area of the pitch and if both these reports are true then it’s great news for both Chelsea as well as Liverpool.
Is it really good news for all the other teams?
As good as it sounds we don’t think neither Man United nor Man City have backed out of this transfer race.
United’s gaping hold in defensive midfield is very evident and if they want to challenge the big boys they need to sign a player like Declan Rice.
🗣 | David James on Declan Rice:
"Rodri and Fernandinho are class acts but I think Declan’s more mobile and covers a lot more ground. He’s got everything.
"The West Ham side of me is saying: ‘No! He’s never going. He’s going to stay at West Ham until he’s 38!”#WHUFC | #COYI pic.twitter.com/3FxMa7mBF1
— West Ham Now (@WestHamNow_) February 21, 2022
Man City might need to sign a striker but they have money to sign someone like Harry Kane as well Declan Rice in the same transfer window. Remember they paid £100m for Jack Grealish?
Also, if the two Manchester sides pull out then it will actually be bad news for West Ham United since they won’t be able to jack up their demands with only Chelsea and Liverpool in the race.
It will be good news for Chelsea and Liverpool but there’s no way Man United and Man City will give up. Yes, a few other defensive midfielders will also be up for sale in the summer but all these fours clubs will first try and sign Declan Rice and only when they fail will they shift their focus to someone else.
