Newcastle enter race for Rice by Gonzo
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle are reportedly considering making a club-record offer for West Ham captain Declan Rice, according to Independent journalist Miguel Delaney.
The race for Declan Rice’s signature has increased it’s participants in recent weeks when it had initially appeared to be only Arsenal who were interested. The transfer gossip during the last two weeks has seen both Manchester United and Manchester City throw their hats into the ring. Pep Guardiola is rumoured to have been briefing those close to him about his intentions to sign the Hammers captain by possibly offering Kalvin Phillips as bait.
West Ham and more pertinently David Moyes have a historical interest in England midfielder Phillips, although his injury record is a concern.
Newcastle enter race for Declan Rice
There has also been talk of interest in Rice from Liverpool, who had been confident of signing Jude Bellingham before the Dortmund midfielder decided to sign for Real Madrid.
The Irons captain has a £120million price tag, but a North East source claims that West Ham will likely accept an offer of approximately £90million. Although that would make the deal £10m less than Jack Grealish’s British transfer record it would represent good value.
Due to Rice’s desire to compete at the highest level, a lot of this is dependent on Newcastle competing in the Champions League the next year. Without top four football Dec would not even consider moving to the North East club.
Eddie Howe is also a big fan of Man UTD midfielder Scott McTominay and reports suggest if Newcastle can’t land Rice they might have to settle for the 26-year-old this summer.
Worse case nightmare is Moyes to stay, sell Dec and God knows who else, use the money to buy average lightweights starting with sick note Phillips (we attract them like honey) and cement us into mediocrity where he is comfortable.