Manchester United Will Have To Pay £80m To Sign Midfield Ace: Should They Pursue Him?

Manchester United want to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United, and could make a move for the young English midfielder in the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils need to add players in the next few transfer windows, and could continue their rebuild with the addition of the 20-year-old defensive midfielder.

A report by Goal is suggesting that United could make a bid of around £80 million for Rice, around the same amount they paid for centre-back Harry Maguire, who moved from Leicester City in the summer.

The report states that Rice is Manchester United’s top target, and could sign him along with Juventus striker Mario Mandžukić.

Rice, who was a part of the Chelsea youth set-up before joining West Ham United, made his debut at the end of the 2016-17 season.

The defensive midfielder has made nearly 80 appearances for the Hammers, and has gone on to become a vital component of the Hammers side. The 20-year-old has made his England debut, playing 6 times for the national team since debuting earlier this year.

Should Manchester United Pursue Rice For That Fee?

Declan Rice is a talented midfielder, and one of the new breed of English footballers who has the technique and potential to be a very good player. Rice fits Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s mandate, being a young, homegrown player, with a lot of potential.

United need central midfielders and defensive midfielders as they are weak in that area of the pitch following the departures of Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini, while Paul Pogba’s United future has not been sorted yet.

Rice would be a good signing for Manchester United as he offers defensive stability, strength, and a shield for the back four. But, paying £80 million for a defensive midfielder, that too one that is young and hasn’t played for a top club is a risky move.

At £80 million, one expects a quality midfielder who can score, tackle, defend and assist. But, Rice is not an all-round box-to-box midfielder, neither is he a technical midfielder who can maybe dictate the tempo of the game.

At £50 million, Rice would be a sensible gamble for Manchester United; but, £80 million seems far too much for a player who is still developing his game.