Declan Rice transfer: Fresh twists as Man Utd and Chelsea chase West Ham ace
Robin Bairner
- 5 Mar 2022 08:47 GMT
- 4 min read
Manchester United and Chelsea have both long been chasing West Ham midfielder Declan Rice – and the England international has suggested that a move to one of the pair could be possible this summer.
Events this week, though, have complicated a transfer for both Premier League giants.
Man Utd are embroiled in a race to finish in the top four of the league and the midfielder has given them a fresh incentive to come out on top.
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The Red Devils presently occupy fourth spot and are two points clear of the Hammers. However, the real danger comes from Arsenal. The Gunners match West Ham’s 45 points but have three games in hand over United, which would carry them well clear of the Old Trafford side were they to win them all.
The odds presently look against Man Utd finishing in the top four, particularly as Tottenham and Wolves are also lurking.
That would be a massive blow for Ralf Rangnick’s side with regards Rice, who turned the stakes up on his employers by expressing his desire to play at the very top level.
Rice’s Champions League desire
Asked about his desire to play in the Champions League, he said: “It is as urgent as possible. I feel like, not only for me, that's for every young player as well.
“We are really close with West Ham at the minute and last season it was gutting to lose out on it but we are pushing.
I feel like I am one of the established top players around the world
- Declan Rice“We'll keep going. Champions League is a big aim of mine and hopefully one day I can play in it and do well.
“I feel like I am one of the established top players around the world. I am only 23, so I am still young — that's what I mean in that sense — but in terms of my playing ability and the way I've performed consistently, I see myself as an established player now who's got good experience and can play at any level if required.”
Chelsea complications
Rice, who has two years left on his West Ham deal, which includes the possibility of another 12 months, described rumours linking him to Man Utd and Chelsea as “crazy”.
Given the situation of those two clubs, though, it may be that he spends another season at West Ham beyond this one. While Man Utd are not guaranteed the Champions League football that he craves, Chelsea’s future has been plunged into doubt with the announcement that Roman Abramovich will see.
Manager Thomas Tuchel did not want to see the situation as necessarily being negative when he discussed contract extensions for Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta, but there was a notably downbeat tone to his delivery.
And if Chelsea do not want to commit to re-signing the players already on their books, they will not sanction a massive move for Rice, who West Ham will try to make be one of the most expensive players in history.
Rice’s transfer saga could go rumbling on for some time yet, then.
