BREAKING: Erik Ten Hag and Man Utd have just offered a ‘high bid’ of £40M plus their ‘£80M signing’ in a sensational deal to HIJACK Arsenal’s priority target in “the last hour”
According to reports, Man Utd are ready to offer Harry Maguire in a ‘sensational swap deal’ for West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice.
The race to sign Rice is hotting up ahead of next season. He has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and he’s now being targeted by some of the best teams in Europe.
Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich have been linked with him in recent weeks, but Arsenal and Man City appear to be leading the race to sign him from West Ham.
A move to Man City would be difficult to turn down, but Rice reportedly ‘really favours’ Arsenal due to Mikel Arteta and this transfer would allow him to keep living in London.
Man Utd are also understood to be admirers of Rice, but they have been pursuing Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount in recent weeks.
The Red Devils may have to look elsewhere after having three bids rejected for Mount and Football Insider are reporting that they are plotting an ’11th hour’ swoop for Rice.
United are ‘prepared to sensationally offer around £45million in cash plus two players, one of whom would be Harry Maguire, in an exchange deal’.
Man Utd believe this proposal will be ‘of interest’ to West Ham as they are keen on Maguire and ‘in the market for a new centre-back’.
West Ham reportedly want around £100m for Rice. The ‘potential issues’ Arsenal and City are having ‘over this fee keeps the door open’ for Man Utd.
United are looking to offload Maguire after he slipped down the pecking order last season. After signing him for £80m in 2019, they reportedly value him at £40m this summer.
Liverpool legend John Barnes feels a move to Arsenal “makes the most sense” for Rice at this stage.
“Arsenal have made two bids for which will probably get up to £100m so Arsenal makes more sense. Not because they’re better than City but because Arsenal are more interested and I think he wants to go to Arsenal. That will be the best thing for him,” Barnes said in an interview for futfanatico.com.
“Rice will fit into Arsenal’s way of playing in that holding midfield role. £100m for Rice means he goes straight into that Arsenal team as the holding midfielder. Protecting that back four and bringing solidity, which is what the Arsenal team needs.
“Lavia is young and he’s a good player. Declan Rice is the number one target.
“I don’t think Manchester City are interested in Declan Rice because they’ve got Rodri. And I don’t think Pep wants two holding midfielders.”
