MAN UTD reportedly saw a £100MILLION bid for West Ham captain Declan Rice rejected last summer.
The Hammers skipper, 24, has been heavily linked with a host of top six clubs including Chelsea and Arsenal.
But it was Man Utd who were leading the race to sign him ahead of the 2022/23 season as they looked to bolster the centre of their midfield.
They eventually landed on Brazilian Casemiro, 30, as he arrived at Old Trafford from Real Madrid for £70m.
But according to talkSPORT, United were not so lucky when it came to their mammoth offer for Rice as West Ham turned down £100m.
And the reports are that it will take £120m plus add-ons to secure the England international this summer.
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That is despite his contract expiring in 2024.
Rice is being closely monitored by both Arsenal and Chelsea as they prepare to do battle for the Kingston-born midfielder at the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s men see him as a long-term replacement for Thomas Partey or Granit Xhaka – despite the arrival of Jorginho in the January window.
And Chelsea are keen to strengthen in the middle of the park following the departure of Jorginho.
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N’Golo Kante is also set to become a free agent in the summer if he does not pen a new deal.
Rice has made 222 appearances for West Ham since breaking through in 2017, contributing 11 goals and 12 assists.
He has also received 39 England caps and become one of Gareth Southgate’s most trusted lieutenants in recent years.
And during the Qatar World Cup, Rice dropped a big hint he was open to leaving West Ham.
Speaking in an England press conference, he was asked if he is hungry to win titles at club level, to which he replied: “Yeah, 100 per cent. For the last two or three years I’ve been saying that.
“I’ve been consistently playing well for my club. I want to win trophies for my club.
“You only get one career and you want to look back at what you’ve won and play in the biggest games. I am really ambitious and I want that.”
West Ham currently sit 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone.
They are still in both the FA Cup and Europa Conference League.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
