Last summer when Manchester United were looking at midfielders, all eyes were on Frenkie de Jong. Then a short pursuit of Adrien Rabiot followed, before United ended up with the best player of them all, Casemiro.
One player who did not get much of a mention was Declan Rice. This was with good reason. West Ham had always insisted there would be a staggering price to pay, and last season, Manchester United finished just one place above the Hammers.
Apparently, this did not prevent Manchester United attempting to do a deal for the England international midfielder.
New information is being reported by Talksport’s Jim White, who claims United made a big bid, which was turned down.
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United ‘Rice bid rejected’
Jim White told Talksport today that Manchester United bid £100 million for Rice, which was rejected.
He said: “It is our understanding £120million, plus add-ons, would get him.
“We understand that Manchester United last summer bid £100m and didn’t get him. Chelsea, Arsenal and United are still in the frame. That’s what it would take £120m, plus add-ons.”
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We have to be thankful the £100 million bid was not accepted, because if it was, Manchester United would not have moved for Casemiro.
As talented as Rice is, Casemiro has simply been perfect. There is no way of knowing if Rice would have matched him, or shrunk under the weight of price tag and expectation, and faced similar scrutiny to Harry Maguire.
This season at West Ham, Rice has been inconsistent. Whoscored.com list his average performance rating at just 6.94/10, and his club rank just 16th in the Premier League.
Still only 24, Rice is a talented player who could complement Casemiro in midfield, but not at the staggering fees West Ham are demanding.
His contract at West Ham runs to 2024, with an option to extend to 2025.
If Manchester United are considering spending £100 million on a player, it should either be for Jude Bellingham, or for a striker, possibly either a new goalkeeper. Rice should be well down the list.