Man Utd ‘pull out of transfer race for No1 target Declan Rice’ after balking at West Ham’s £100million valuation
MANCHESTER UNITED have scrapped their pursuit of West Ham ace Declan Rice, according to reports.
The Hammers have slapped a £100m price tag on the England ace which is said to have put the Red Devils off.
And Man Utd are pursuing alternative targets as a result, according to ESPN.
There are said to be ‘contrasting opinions’ within Old Trafford as to Rice’s ability to ‘significantly improve’ the team.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still thought to be a Rice fan but some recruitment staff are yet to be convinced.
His main competition would be Scott McTominay and Fred with Nemanja Matic and Donny van de Beek the other holding midfielders on the books.
Given West Ham’s £100m asking price for their prized asset and vice-captain, United staff are said to be concerned about Rice’s speed on and off the ball.
And they believe they can find an equally talented star for less money abroad.
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United have held a long-term interest in Rice and were believed to be open to working out a deal in the summer transfer window.
Manchester City are also keen on the England star, 22.
The Red Devils were unwilling to splash the cash on the midfielder after spending heavily on their priority target Jadon Sancho.
Raphael Varane also arrived for a significant fee and Cristiano Ronaldo signed a £25m-a-year contract.
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The Red Devils are also said to be one of several European clubs willing to pounce on Erling Haaland when his release clause of £67m becomes active next summer.
But on top of the £67m, United will reportedly have to pay Haaland a whopping £825,000-a-week in wages, plus hand his agent Mino Raiola a separate sum of £34m for his part in the deal.
As a result, £100m for Rice could be hard to come by.
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