declan rice

West Ham insist Declan Rice is not for sale

West Ham insist Declan Rice is not for sale this summer, amid interest in the highly-rated midfielder.

Rice enjoyed a breakthrough campaign for West Ham last season, earning his first senior England call-up after switching his allegiance from the Republic of Ireland and being nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

The 20-year-old’s form is believed to have attracted the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United, with the rivals having made enquiries into the midfielder’s availability this summer.

According to Sky Sports, West Ham have advised Rice is not for sale and will resist any interest in the youngster, who signed a new long-term deal to keep him at the London Stadium until 2024 in December.

Premier League champions City had made tentative enquiries about Rice as they bid to strengthen their midfield options. Pep Guardiola’s side were considering the England international as an alternative to Atletico Madrid’s Rodri, should a deal for the Spain midfielder fall through.

The 22-year-old has since revealed his desire to leave the Spanish capital, with City now likely to trigger his £62.5m release clause.

Manchester rivals United had also expressed an interest in bringing Rice to Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to add to his midfield this summer following the departure of Ander Herrera, whilst there are also doubts surrounding the long-term future of Paul Pogba.

Solskjaer is keen to add a young, British core to his side this summer, however West Ham’s reluctance to lose Rice is likely to see the club focus their attentions elsewhere.

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See also – Five of the Premier League’s most drawn out transfer sagas