Manchester United want to add a new central midfielder to their squad this summer, but they are not currently in the race to sign one of the most exciting ones.
Declan Rice is set to leave West Ham this summer and has previously expressed interest in joining United. Yet it is Arsenal and Man City who lead the way in the race to sign him during the transfer window.
Erik ten Hag is determined to recruit a world-class striker and midfielder this summer, and Rice certainly has the ability to fit the criteria, even if he isn't quite there yet.
The 24-year-old is arguably the best option they could sign right now, following Jude Bellingham's transfer to Real Madrid and Frenkie de Jong's reluctance to leave Barcelona, but it is much easier said than done.
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It has been suggested that it will take at least £100million to secure Rice's signature this summer, and there might be better value for money elsewhere on the continent.
During his first summer at United, Ten Hag insisted he would rather buy English players if there was not a premium on homegrown talent.
He said: "I would like to sign English players because I think there is only one criteria, and that's quality in combination with the price.
"It looks like English players are quite expensive. It's a fact you cannot deny. In the end, it's about quality."
United have made signing a striker their priority, and it is understood that money has already been set aside to finance a potential club-record fee if the right player becomes available.
Adding the type of midfielder they want to the squad won't be so easy, though. Regardless of United's ownership uncertainty, well-placed sources have stated that a move would have to be financed by outgoings, but a large injection of money would definitely increase the chances of landing one.
United are pushing ahead with a move to sign Mason Mount despite the continued takeover saga, and Chelsea's valuation of the player is below the opening bid West Ham have reportedly already rejected from Arsenal for his international teammate.
Mount is a player United will be able to sign this summer no matter what happens, but any move for Rice would rely on a flurry of early sales or news of a successful takeover bid being accepted.
United are well aware that player sales will be crucial this summer, no matter what happens, as they look to balance the books and pass Financial Fair Play regulations.
But it is the uncertainty of the takeover situation and future of the club that continues to underpin everything and is holding them back from pushing ahead with the biggest summer decisions.
It is a fluid situation. United's limited summer budget will fluctuate depending on who they manage to sell and which targets are actually attainable.
If they manage to sign the type of elite striker they want, then there will be less money to spend on other areas of the pitch, but if they end up signing a slightly lower-calibre option, then there will be more available to spend elsewhere.
This also affects the positions they look to strengthen. United want to sign at least one striker, a midfielder, and a goalkeeper, but if the budget will allow, they will look at adding another centre-back and possibly another forward.
Until there is clarity over the future of the club, they quite simply won't be able to compete with their rivals when it comes to previously unplanned pursuits like Rice.
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