Man Utd ‘consider’ player-plus-cash Rice bid with West Ham ‘prepared to wait’ for best deal

Man Utd are reportedly ‘considering’ joining the race to sign Arsenal-linked West Ham midfielder Declan Rice in a player-plus-cash deal.

Rice is expected to leave the Hammers in the summer transfer window and is attracting interest from a host of top clubs.

Bayern Munich had expressed an interest before abandoning their pursuit due to how advanced Arsenal are in negotiations.

The Gunners have already made two bids to sign the England midfielder, with West Ham turning down both.

Mikel Arteta has made Rice his top target and his side are believed to be leading the race, but their lack of ruthlessness in getting a deal over the line has granted the likes of Man Utd and Man City some time.

Reports suggest West Ham are waiting for City to make an official bid and are hoping they will include Kalvin Phillips in their offer.

However, Phillips wants to stay at the Etihad after a disappointing debut season, from a personal standpoint that is.

And with Arsenal dilly-dallying over a fee, Man Utd are now ‘considering’ making a bid of their own.

According to The Telegraph, Erik ten Hag would be willing to offer cash plus Scott McTominay or Harry Maguire in a bid to sign Rice.

West Ham have an ‘interest’ in McTominay, who is one of many players the Red Devils are willing to sell this summer, which could make this a very appealing offer for David Moyes.

McTominay’s ‘enthusiasm’ over making the move remains to be seen, however, while Maguire’s wage demands could prove to be a huge stumbling block.

Moyes is a ‘huge fan’ of Maguire, who Ten Hag is also open to letting go, though the player is believed to want to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford.

It is noted that Man Utd have a ‘relatively limited transfer budget’ and will need to offer a player in order to tempt the Hammers into a sale.

Unfortunately for them, Rice remains ‘far more likely to join Arsenal’, who will make a third offer very soon.

Arteta’s side are trying to pay the fee for Rice over a number of years, which is proving to be a huge ‘stumbling block’ in their pursuit.

There are also fears that Man City could ‘blow rivals out of the water’ with a bid to sign the 24-year-old, with West Ham ‘prepared to wait for the right deal’.

While Ten Hag would be willing to offload Maguire, it is said there is ‘no appetite’ to actively push the Man Utd club captain out of the door.

A player the Dutch manager is looking to sell is Brazilian midfielder Fred, the report adds.

And in a separate report from The Telegraph, is it said that Fred is attracting interest from Fulham and would cost around £20million with a year left on his contract.

£20m is more than the Cottagers are prepared to pay, though, and discussions are yet to take place.