Declan Rice has been urged to leave West Ham this summer amid Manchester United interest in a move.
Rice has long been of interest to United, with the club having identified him as a priority target for their midfield. They’re not the only side linked with a move for the midfielder though, with Chelsea also keen on his services, while Manchester City have also been linked but distanced themselves from a transfer.
Reports of a potential move for Rice have gone into overdrive over the past week, amid suggestions the 23-year-old has rejected three contract offers from the Hammers. His current deal at the London Stadium runs until 2024, with West Ham also holding the option to extend by a further year.
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The Hammers are understandably reluctant to let their prize asset go this summer, with David Moyes having previously suggested it would take more than £100million to take him off their hands, before raising the asking price to £150million.
Ex-Liverpool and Tottenham star Danny Murphy thinks the time is right for Rice to make a move, though. The former midfielder told talkSPORT what he would do if he was in the West Ham man’s shoes.
“Are you going to deprive yourself of another season not being able to win the Premier League and the Champions League?” Murphy said. "West Ham fans will get frustrated with people saying it constantly because I’ve had it before. If I’m him, I’m going.”
While reports have suggested Rice has turned down offers from West Ham to sign a new deal, Moyes has denied the club are panicking over his future. Asked about Rice rejecting offers, the Hammers boss said: “We certainly didn’t say that. Unless you’ve got who said it then I can’t say it. We’ve not answered it really have we.
“I’ve said it and I think we have said what we think. We like Dec and he’s got three and a half years to go on his contract so I don’t think there is any big panic.
“We’ve got three and a half years so it isn’t the biggest priority. We’ve got other priorities, trying to add to the squad and get other positions in.
“Maybe he just wants more money. People do turn down contracts. It is not unusual for players at clubs to turn down contracts, maybe it is a negotiation tactic.”
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