Transfer News; Liverpool trying to lure Declan Rice to Anfield
According to Football Insider (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool are trying to lure talented English midfielder Declan Rice to Anfield and want to make him their marquee signing in midfield.
A product of the famed Cobham academy, Declan Rice joined West Ham’s reserve setup after being rejected by the Blues and has since then gone on to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old is arguably David Moyes’ most important player and has been so for a very long time. His influence in the English national team is also very high and he is a regular starter for Gareth Southgate.
Rice is too good a player to stay at West Ham for too long, with all due respect to the Hammers and it is only a matter of time before one of the Champions League clubs came calling for the English midfielder.
The talented defensive midfielder has a contract with West Ham until 2024 (transfermarkt) although the Hammers do have an option of extending his contract by one more year, taking him to 2025.
The report claims that Rice was valued north of £100m by the London club for very long but West Ham may be forced to come down on their asking price as the 23-year-old’s contract runs down.
There is no doubt that Liverpool need a midfield revamp and are looking to sign a marquee midfielder. Jude Bellingham has been tipped as an option for the Reds but there is expected to be a fierce battle for the Borussia Dortmund teenager.
Rice is a very interesting option for the Reds. Liverpool already have Fabinho in the defensive midfield role and although the Hammers star can play further up, he is best used in a midfield two in a double pivot.
More Liverpool News
- Virgil van Dijk speaks about the performance in a disappointing 2-3 loss to Arsenal
- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gives injury update on Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold after Arsenal loss
- Liverpool gaffer Jurgen Klopp talks about his opinion about the penalty against Arsenal
Although Klopp could consider a position change and choose to play two holding midfielders in the future to accommodate Rice, Liverpool need to be clear about what role they envision for the former Chelsea reject before signing him.
Rice will not come without competition too but he has too much quality to not come good in a Reds shirt. The West Ham man will surely be a good signing for Liverpool if they pull this off.
