---
title: "Manchester United backed to win Declan Rice race"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-premier-league-declan-rice-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Manchester United News"
published: "2023-01-23T11:15:17Z"
modified: "2023-01-23T11:15:17Z"
---

# Manchester United backed to win Declan Rice race

**[Manchester United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-news/) could beat Arsenal to the signing of West Ham and England star [Declan Rice](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/declan-rice/) and the player’s price tag is dropping, according to former Hammers striker Frank McAvennie.**

### The Lowdown: Rice a wanted man

The 24-year-old has been one of the best midfielders in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) over the last few years, performing with great consistency for both club and country.

There is a feeling that Rice has outgrown West Ham, however, with David Moyes’ side struggling this season and a summer exit potentially on the cards. Called ‘[sensational](https://twitter.com/EduardoHagn/status/1615038019303788545)‘ this month by football writer Eduardo Hagn, Rice is down to the final 18 months of his current [contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/declan-rice/profil/spieler/357662) – albeit with a club option to extend for another season.

United are one of many clubs who have been [eyeing](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-news/manchester-united-simon-jordan-believes-red-devils-transfer-sign-declan-rice-mufc/) a move for the midfielder, as Erik ten Hag looks at improving his squad.

### The Latest: McAvennie reacts

[Reports](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1722201/Man-Utd-transfer-news-Declan-Rice-Arsenal-Chelsea-Premier-League-latest-gossip) last week said the Red Devils are ‘in the running’ for Rice and will battle Chelsea and Arsenal for his signature.

Reacting in a chat to [*Football Insider*](https://www.footballinsider247.com/declan-rice-backed-to-sign-for-man-united-amid-70m-claim-pundit/), McAvennie said that he believes the Red Devils would be a good fit for Rice, questioning if the England star would move to north London:

> “I think he would be great. He has got a big head to go to Man United and be part of the revolution. I do not know if he would want to go to Arsenal.
>
> “His money is dropping every year now so he has got to go somewhere. He is not hitting the same form as what he has been hitting. You are talking £20/£30million you are going to be dropping. They were talking about over £100m, now it is only £70m.
>
> “He will move at the end of the season, one million per cent. It is happening now. I would not be surprised if he goes abroad but he will be joining a huge club. He is a boy that does not mind a challenge.”

[Latest Man Utd news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-man-utd-news-10/)

### The Verdict: Would be perfect

Whoever manages to sign Rice this summer will be getting an outstanding footballer with a huge future, with William Gallas [saying](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/news/france-defender-declan-rice-england-25748063) the England international ‘can become world-class’ and Jack Wilshere [claiming](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10698895/Jack-Wilshere-hails-West-Hams-Declan-Rice-worlds-best-defensive-midfielder.html) the London Stadium favourite is already the world’s best in his position.

And there has indeed been talk of a plummeting price tag as his contract ticks down, with £70m the fee named by [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/01/16/arsenal-transfer-news-declan-rice-top-summer-target-hope-70m/) after Moyes [claimed](https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/premier-league/2021-2022/declan-rice-was-cheap-at-100m-says-west-ham-united-boss-david-moyes-amid-transfer-move-talk_sto8755719/story.shtml) last year it would take over £100m.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”418918″\]

While Casemiro is currently mastering the No.6 role at United, he turns 31 this year and is not a long-term signing, whereas the West Ham man would be exactly that.

He is a dominant presence in all facets of his game, making [2.2 interceptions](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/332325/Show/Declan-Rice) per game and averaging a 94.3% pass completion rate at the 2022 [World Cup](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/world-cup-2022/), and he could even be a future United and England captain.