Premier League giants Manchester United are plotting a summer swoop for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, according to The Sun.
The newspaper claims that the 20-year-old is top of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s summer wishlist, alongside Borussia Dortmund starlet Jadon Sancho.
The Red Devils boss has been hugely impressed by the success of England boss Gareth Southgate and wants to bring in young English talent as a result.
Rice is reportedly valued at £40million, while Sancho would supposedly cost £80million. United are also interested in Crystal Palace right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Leicester City centre half Harry Maguire.
OPINION
It’s no surprise that Premier League managers are taking note of Southgate’s success. There seems to be an excess of young English talent at the moment and it’s only natural that the top flight’s big boys will want to snatch them from the division’s lesser lights. It goes without saying that West Ham should do everything they can to keep Rice at the club this summer. However, if United only rate him at £40million that shouldn’t be a problem. The figures for both Rice and Sancho seem a bit low, don’t they? Surely it would take much more than £40million to sign a young player as good as Rice, while Sancho’s value likely soared past the £80million mark long ago. If West Ham do decide to part with Rice in the future they should be looking for a much higher figure than a mere £40million. However, as mentioned, the priority at the moment must be keeping him at the club, an assignment that looks all the more difficult with every passing week.
