Summer 2023 could be the transfer window of midfield moves as a whole host of clubs need to bolster their central ranks while some of the best talent could be available. One of those linked with a move in the next few months is West Ham and England star Declan Rice.
The 24-year-old has been a regular top performer for both club and country and with his deal expiring in 18-months, the Hammers could look to cash in while his value is high. “One hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League," Rice admitted to reporters during the World Cup.
“For the last two or three years I’ve been saying that. I’ve been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing. I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies. You only get one career and at the end you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in.”
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It's a clear indicator as to the next step for Rice in his career as there continues to be interest in signing him for the long-term. Chelsea have been linked for a few years now, having previously been part of the academy, and continue to eye a potential switch in the coming transfer window, even with other midfield reinforcements.
Arsenal are another side monitoring a switch, having missed out on young midfield targets in January and with the need to build for the long-term. The price it could cost them continues to vary as reports suggested £90million-to-£100million could be enough to agree a deal.
However, TalkSPORT claim that £120million will be the asking price set by the Hammers, which is an amount that would break both club records and a British transfer record, to boot. The report also claims that rivals Manchester United are interested and even made a move last summer for £100million, which was turned down.
It remains to be seen whether there will be further change in the battle for Rice's signature or in West Ham's asking price, however there are many months left before the opening of the transfer window and plenty of twists and turns in the tale.
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