Manchester United are preparing to launch themselves into a bidding war with Arsenal as their Premier League rivals attempt to seal a deal for Declan Rice.
The West Ham and England midfielder is expected to be one of the most sought-after players across Europe this summer. The Gunners have already been credited with huge interest - Mikel Arteta making a swoop for Rice one of his summer priorities.
Rice’s future looks increasingly like it will be away from the London Stadium. He has just a year left on his deal with West Ham and is not prepared to put pen to paper on fresh terms as he seeks Champions League football.
According to The Guardian, Man Utd intend to rival Arsenal for his signing. Any move could depend on whether each of the two sides would be willing to match the Hammers’ asking price.
It is suggested West Ham will demand a minimum of £100m, whilst they are also closely monitoring Real Madrid’s deal for Jude Bellingham as a reference point. There is further interest in Rice with Newcastle and Chelsea also thought to be among his admirers.
David Moyes has already left the door open to Rice’s potential departure this summer. Speaking this week, he said: "We honestly hope he stays. We'd love for him to be a West Ham player but we are aware that might not be the case at the end of the season.
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"So that's one of the scenarios around planning. There are plans that we have Dec here but we're also fully aware there is a good chance we won't have him."
Should the Red Devils fail to seal a deal for the West Ham star, they could turn their attention to alternatives. United are reportedly interested in Chelsea duo Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic.
Like Rice, the pair both see their contracts expire next summer. Frank Lampard has confirmed that talks will take place with the England international but is unsure of an agreement at this stage.
“At this point, it's not my opinion that will be the resolution,” the interim Chelsea boss said. “It will be the opinion of the club and the opinion of Mason, so that's between them.
“I think my opinion's pretty clear, I don't need to spell it out what I think of Mason as a player. There's no doubt Mason is a top-class player through what he brings to the team in and out of possession.
“We could have done with him in the games we've played already this season. But the bigger picture is something that's going to become clearer in the next weeks and months, and that will be the club and Mason together having conversations.”
