Declan Rice accepts transfer fate amid Man Utd & Chelsea speculation

Declan Rice is likely to remain at West Ham with the east London club’s refusal to budge from their £90million valuation blocking a potential move to a top four club.

The 22-year-old enhanced his already burgeoning reputation with a series of commanding displays at the heart of England’s midfielder during their run to the final of this summer’s European championships.

Rice has long been on Chelsea’s radar and represented one of Frank Lampard’s primary targets, but Blues’ transfer chief Marina Granovskaia was said to be unconvinced that the versatile midfielder represented value for money.

Thomas Tuchel is reported to have reignited the Champions League holders’ interest in Rice, however, while Manchester United, who are looking to sign a new midfielder in light of the uncertainty surrounding Paul Pogba, are also long-term admirers.

According to the Daily Mail, however, Rice is happy to spend another 12 monthss in east London, by which time Manchester City could step up their interest given Fernandinho will almost certainly depart after nine trophy-laden years at the Etihad.

Rice returned to action following and extended break during the Hammers’ 2-0 win over Atalanta at the London Stadium on Saturday, and in the absence of Mark Noble will likely skipper David Moyes’ team in their Premier League opener against Newcastle next weekend.

While United and Chelsea would both have jumped at the chance of signing Rice, both are looking to strengthen in other areas as a priority.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spent in excess of £130m on the purchases of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane combined, and the Norwegian hasn’t ruled out the possibility of further arrivals.

Chelsea are set to invest close to £100m on Romelu Lukaku and bring the Inter striker back to Stamford Bridge, while they are also pursuing a move for Sevilla’s French international defender Jules Kounde.

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