CHELSEA are reportedly facing competition from Manchester United in the race to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.
Rice, 21, was heavily linked with a return to the Blues in the last window -after being released by the club as a teenager – but despite splurging £220million on players the West London side didn’t manage to bring him in.
Manchester United have joined the race for Declan RiceCredit: Rex Features
The Manchester Evening News reports United are in the market for a defensive midfielder and centre-back – both positions Rice can fill.
The report states the Red Devils are more likely to do business in the summer as they finalise a list of targets in the New Year.
Although if a specific target became available in January then they would make a move but club chiefs are not expecting any incomings at this stage.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are instead focusing on completing their squad overhaul across the next two windows.
And the Norwegian boss is said to rate England star Rice highly.
Rice has assumed the captaincy at West Ham with Mark Noble out of the starting side and has flourished in the role.
The Three Lions regular is contracted to the Hammers until 2024 and it is likely a substantial transfer fee will be needed to prise him away from the club.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is believed to be a big fan of Rice and the Blues are still favourites to land their man.
Rice has bagged one assist in 13 Premier League appearances this season, playing every minute in the Hammers’ campaign and helping David Moyes’ side to eighth place.
He made his 100th top flight start in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
The bookies have slashed United’s odds with Rice a potential replacement for Paul Pogba.
The Frenchman’s agent Mino Raiola has been extremely vocal about his need to leave United saying he was not happy and his time was ‘over’ at Old Trafford.
But Pogba released a passionate statement insisting he was ‘1,000 per cent’ committed to the cause.
Raiola then clarified a move in the summer was more likely as ‘top deals’ are hard to do in the winter window.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
