Declan Rice ‘ready to snub Man Utd transfer if Chelsea offer him emotional return from West Ham’
CHELSEA and Manchester United are set to battle for Declan Rice in the summer, according to reports.
Rice, 23, is now valued at £150million by West Ham with the club determined to keep the midfield star.
He still has two years remaining on his contract with David Moyes planning to build his team around the England man.
But United eye Rice as a potential replacement for Paul Pogba, who has been linked to Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea are also long-term admirers and Rice would prefer a move to the Blues after being released by the club aged 14, according to The Evening Standard.
Rice is eager to play in the Champions League, which cannot be guaranteed by Ralf Rangnick’s side at present.
Read More SunSport
United are also prioritising the appointment of a new manager having held talks with Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
But with Chelsea prohibited from transfer activity under current government sanctions they are not ready to make a move either.
West Ham could try to extend Rice’s contract but he is reportedly unlikely to agree terms, having previously rejected two offers of a new deal.
But the Hammers do have an option to trigger a one-year extension in Rice’s contract, keeping him at the club until 2025.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
That is why they have now increased their asking price, with David Moyes suggesting Rice was worth £100m only last month.
Rice has previously described his price tag as “crazy” but is focused on continuing to improve on the pitch.
He said: “You hear those numbers and for me it is crazy.
“All I can do is go out there and perform, regardless of the price tag.
“I just need to focus on playing well and performing at the best level I can.”