According to Sky Sports News, West Ham United have told both Manchester United and Manchester City that midfielder Declan Rice isn’t for sale this summer.
The 20-year-old had a breakthrough campaign last season, catching the eyes of Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and City manager Pep Guardiola in the process.
United recently contacted West Ham over the availability of Rice, while the back-to-back Premier League champions are lining him up as plan B should a move for Atletico Madrid defensive midfielder Rodri fall through.
The England international has five years left on the new contract he signed in December, with the option of a further year, and given his importance to manager Manuel Pellegrini’s plans, cashing in on him isn’t the Hammers’ plans this summer.
The London Stadium outfit are looking to challenge for top-seven next term and can’t afford to lose a quality member of the squad like Rice.
The ex-Chelsea schoolboy made 38 appearances for West Ham last term, earning himself a place in manager Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad for the UEFA Nations Cup, and it has come as no surprise that United and City are both monitoring him.
The Irons are trying to prove that they are no longer a selling club, though, and here is how some of their fans reacted to their transfer stance on Rice on Twitter:
We will c when the transfer window closes. Let's hope they don't go.
— ⚒ Zuby ⚒ (@Zuby2510) June 19, 2019
It better be true!
— Gary Isbell ⚡ (@1980hammer) June 19, 2019
Love this #COYI ⚒️⚒️⚒️
— Radster1975 (@radster1975) June 19, 2019
Great news we need to keep these two players ⚽️⚽️⚽️
— Sandie Barrick (@SandieBarrick) June 19, 2019
We are now genuine contenders with MU for 5/6 place. No way we should be considering selling our best players to them. They are in complete meltdown whereas we just need improvement in a few positions.⚒
— Liam Malone (@LiamMalone12) June 19, 2019
We’re no longer a selling club, let them eat cake ?
— Lord of Glencoe ⚒ (@andyrayner9) June 20, 2019
United are no better then us at the moment why would he want out
— @paul the hammer (@paulthehammer) June 19, 2019
If they do decide to sell these 2 players it just goes to show the the 2 David’s talk rubbish saying that they want Champions league football #COYI
— CousinsPhoto.co.uk (@ColindCousins) June 19, 2019
As a westham fan its finally good to have that feeling that we have players that teams above us want….
Its feels a whole lot better knowing that we are not forced to sell!
— Tom Holland (@happyhammer011) June 19, 2019
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