Manchester United have Rice in their transfer plans for next summer

Declan Rice is interested in a move from West Ham as he wants to play in the Champions League.

Declan Rice has consistently been in the news with interest for the 22-year-old coming from far and near. Manchester United have emerged as the latest candidates to take him away from West Ham come next season.

Manchester United interested in Rice

Manchester United were busy in the transfer market this summer, bringing in several players to boost their ranks in the hopes of winning silverware this season. With several unfilled gaps in the United team, they went all out for quality reinforcements in Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus, Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and Raphael Varane from Real Madrid.

One area of the team that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer failed to address was the midfield, where the team has had to keep faith with Fred, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic. As the transfer window shut, United had to transfer all their plans for midfield till next season, with Declan Rice top of the bill.

According to ESPN, Declan Rice is top of United’s list for the midfield position next summer.

The rise of West Ham star Declan Rice

Declan Rice joined Chelsea at the young age of eight. He left at the age of 14. After a few trials, Rice found a home at West Ham, 26 miles from his house in Kingston-upon-Thames.

He did not enjoy a straightforward career path after his move to West Ham. He was the only player given a scholarship in his year group without a guaranteed professional deal at the same time. All this while, Rice was a central defender. It was while with the West Ham U-18 side that he shifted to the defensive midfield role. He has excelled ever since in that position.

Rice, an Irish national, also made a switch from the Republic of Ireland to England and got the attention of England manager Gareth Southgate.

Chelsea have also held a long interest in the player

The former Chelsea youth teamer has a West Ham contract that runs till 2024. Manchester United aren’t the only club that have shown interest in the 22-year-old English international.

He has also attracted attention from Chelsea but could not agree to a deal for their former player due to the Hammers high valuation of the player.

Chelsea could have had a free run at Rice. After the sack of Frank Lampard in January, the Blues interest in the player waned. Thomas Tuchel remains interested though.

It will be a two way battle for the player between Chelsea and Manchester United next season.