Fabrizio Romano’s Declan Rice transfer claim should excite Leeds fans
Fabrizio Romano has claimed on Rio Ferdinand Presents Five podcast that West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is Manchester United’s first-choice target next summer.
The Sky Sports Italy journalist has also claimed that apart from Rice, the Red Devils are “considering” other options like Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves and Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni.
The Red Devils have scouted Rice intensely in recent years, and the Hammers midfielder has been earmarked as their top target for the defensive midfield role.
Huge boost for Leeds
The Daily Star claimed yesterday that United have shifted their attention towards signing Kalvin Phillips after they dropped the idea of signing Rice.
Premier League rivals Chelsea are also in the hunt to sign Rice who would cost around £90m. United are concerned about Rice’s valuation and feel that he is not worth what the Hammers want.
As a result, they shifted their attention towards signing Phillips who would cost around £60m.
The 25-year-old is a key player for Leeds and has established himself as an iconic player at the Yorkshire club. Considering the fierce rivalry between Leeds and United, it would have been really hard for the fans to accept any such transfer move.
However, Romano claims that it’s Rice who United want and not Phillips. In fact, the Red Devils have other targets in mind, should they miss out on the England midfielder, but he didn’t mention the name of Phillips.
Romano is one of the most trusted journalists out there when it comes to transfers, and the news should excite the fan base, if not bring a sigh of relief!
In football, nothing can be ruled out, but it seems impossible to see Phillips leaving Leeds to join Old Trafford next summer.
In other Leeds United news, Radrizzani has hit back at Whites fan who claimed ace is stealing a wage.