---
title: "West Ham United: Journalist drops Declan Rice transfer claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-united-journalist-drops-declan-rice-transfer-claim/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-09-09T12:15:05Z"
modified: "2021-09-09T12:15:05Z"
---

# West Ham United: Journalist drops Declan Rice transfer claim

**Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/samuelluckhurst/status/1435545949950992384), Manchester United journalist Samuel Luckhurst has made a transfer claim involving West Ham United star Declan Rice.**

### The Lowdown: Rice in summer exit links…

Over the summer, exit links surrounded the Irons favourite after news emerged of two rejected offers of a new deal at West Ham.

[West Ham latest developments!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-developments-2/)

Indeed, reliable outlets like [The Evening Standard](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/declan-rice-west-ham-contract-chelsea-fc-manchester-united-b943606.html) and [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jul/01/declan-rice-rejects-west-ham-contract-offers-chelsea-manchester-united-city-champions-league) reported of Rice’s refusal to pen fresh terms at Rush Green, with the England star also wanting to be informed of any bids for him.

Alas, a move away during the most recent window eventually came to nothing, but there is heavy interest in a move next year from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United ([90min](https://www.90min.com/posts/west-ham-transfer-news-declan-rice-man-utd-man-city-chelsea-liverpool)).

\[freshpress-quiz id=”359260″\]

### The Latest: Journalist makes firm Rice claim…

Taking to [social media](https://twitter.com/samuelluckhurst/status/1435545949950992384) and sharing his article for [Manchester Evening News](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-united-transfer-declan-rice-21510545), Luckhurst has made a firm claim involving Rice and the Red Devils.

He believes that an Old Trafford swoop for the 22-year-old is ‘inevitable’ next year and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have settled on him as their prime midfield target.

“#mufc have settled on Declan Rice as their prime midfield target,” he explained, adding: “Midfield move inevitable next year.”

In his article, Luckhurst also explains that Manchester United chiefs have already discussed the possible frameworks of a deal to bring Rice to Old Trafford next summer.

### The Verdict: West Ham braced?

It is also believed that Rice is still unlikely to pen a new deal as it stands ([Manchester Evening News](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-united-transfer-declan-rice-21510545)), so next summer will certainly be an interesting but nervy time for Irons supporters.

Arguably the last thing they want is to face the prospect of losing a real fan favourite and one of manager David Moyes’ key players.

After a sensational Euro 2020 tournament with England, one which prompted former Three Lions boss Fabio Capello to call him ‘[phenomenal](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9744411/FABIO-CAPELLO-EXCLUSIVE-Declan-Rice-Kalvin-Phillips-key-England.html)‘, the 22-year-old has only continued his fine form at club level. Averaging a quite brilliant 94.9% pass accuracy in midfield so far in the Premier League, Rice also tops West Ham’s charts in terms of interceptions, making a robust 2.3 per game ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/29/Show/England-West-Ham)).

Taking this into account, it’s little wonder that Manchester United have earmarked him as a number one target and will likely swoop next year.

***In other news: Agent lifts lid on West Ham interest in 63-goal striker, makes deadline day claim…find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-transfer-rumours/west-ham-united-agent-makes-claim-involving-sevilla-striker-munir/)***