Manchester United target West Ham captain Declan Rice to lead summer midfield overhaul as doubts remain over Paul Pogba’s future

Manchester United will move to sign Declan Rice from West Ham this summer as part of a big-money midfield overhaul, according to reports.

But the Red Devils will have to spend a lot of money to land the England star after his latest exploits for the Hammers.

With the likes of Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba out of contract this summer, reinforcement in the middle of the park would be United’s priority.

ESPN reports claim Old Trafford’s recruitment team are working on a shortlist of targets, with Rice, Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips and RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara topping the list.

It is suggested that the club’s next full-time manager, who United are looking to put in place to take over from interim Ralf Rangnick this summer, will have a say in his goals.

But Rice is widely reported as one of their top targets in the upcoming transfer window, with the midfielder heavily linked with a move away from the London Stadium.

It will cost United dearly if they hunt the Hammers star, however, with West Ham citing £100m+ suitors for the Three Lions ace.

But, deciding not to spend in January means they have funds in reserve and Man United will surely be one of the teams with the best chance of landing it.

A host of talkSPORT pundits have advised Rice to leave West Ham this summer if the club fail to finish in the top four.

The east London side currently sit in fifth place and just a point out of the Champions League places, but their own lack of January deals has cast doubt on their chances of qualifying for the first competition European.

Rice has already admitted her love for Old Trafford, saying in a recent interview: “It’s an amazing stadium. I’ve always said Old Trafford was one of my favorite places to play.

He was even named as future captain of Manchester United by a former Red Devil, Paul Parker saying of the midfielder: “If you bring in Declan Rice, in 12 months he will be your captain, without a shadow of a doubt.”

But United have been warned they may have to shell out even more cash for the former Chelsea academy graduate this summer after his heroic latest performance for West Ham.

Rice came off the bench to lead his side across the line in their FA Cup fourth round win over Kidderminster Harriers, scoring in the second half to force extra time against the competition’s lowest-ranked side, before Jarrod Bowen scored a late winner.

In comments to talkSPORT, Hammers legend Alvin Martin suggested the goal once again showed just how important Rice is to his team – and it may well add to his summer prize money.

Martin said: “What a goal. It might have been a performance below West Ham standards, but it was a classy moment from Declan Rice.

“He took the game by the scruff of the neck, a quality goal by a quality player when he needed it most. It wasn’t even luck, it was do by Rice. There was nothing when he picked up the ball.

“West Ham had to rely on an individual. West Ham were in dire straits, but he saved them.

“It will add a few million more to his price tag, that’s for sure.”