Liverpool are believed to be keen on West Ham midfielder Declan Rice and have asked to be ‘kept informed’ regarding any bids for the England international, according to Ian McGarry on the Transfer Window podcast.
This isn’t the first time the Reds have been linked with the 22-year-old and a door could be open after Chelsea reportedly ended their long-standing interest recently, although Manchester United are also credited with a fondness for the Irons midfielder.
McGarry said: “He (Rice) is no longer on the transfer list of recruitment possibilities for the Stamford Bridge club, but he has certainly roused the interest of Liverpool and Manchester United, both of whom have expressed interest to Rice’s agent as we understand and they have asked to be kept informed of any offers made for the England international.”
The journalist went on to claim that the defensive-minded midfielder, who has been ever-present for West Ham in the Premier League this season, could feel a ‘temptation’ to join a top-six club with Champions League football.
Recently, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher proclaimed that a top-four side should pay ‘£50m’ for Rice, who he feels ‘could do a job in a Champions League team’.
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Rice would tick a host of boxes for Jurgen Klopp’s squad. The 10-cap England midfielder is also capable of playing at centre-back – an attribute we have seen with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson this term – is young with room to develop further and has already proven his ability among the elite.
There could also be a space in the Anfield midfield at the end of the season as Georginio Wijnaldum’s future on Merseyside looks more perilous than ever.
Despite the likely high finances involved in the deal, it isn’t out of the realms of all possibility. With years of potential service and perhaps even a future captain in the making, signing Rice would seem a major coup for the Reds.
