EPL

Declan Rice fee likely to be dictated by other big-money moves

Published

2 months ago

February 7, 2023

Toby Cudworth

Declan Rice’s West Ham United career has carried on for far longer than many people envisaged it would.

The 24-year-old has been earmarked as one of world football’s top midfielders for a couple of years, owing to some superb performances for both club and country. Rice remains at the very top of his game despite West Ham’s recent struggles and his consistency means that questions are continually asked over what he’ll do next.

This summer, Rice will have just two years remaining on his West Ham contract. He is not the club’s top earner, despite his lofty standing in the game, and has shown no inclination that he’s ready to sit down and discuss fresh terms.

Rice has instead dropped subtle hints that his time at West Ham is nearing an end. He has spoken publicly of his desire to play Champions League football and challenge for trophies, and that’s clearly something West Ham aren’t in a position to offer him.

“Undoubtedly he’s going to be a top player and undoubtedly he’ll be a British transfer record and more whenever he leaves West Ham,” manager David Moyes said in the aftermath of the recent 1-1 draw with Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

“A lot’s been said about it and when you see what’s been happening with prices, I think Declan will be blowing that out the water when it comes around,” the Scot added when probed about whether Rice’s departure from West Ham is inevitable.

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“It’s just the world we live in,” the words of West Ham legend Mark Noble. “We’re West Ham and these players want to go out and play Champions League football – and do you blame them?”

It’s hard to imagine a situation where Rice does stay at West Ham. It now comes down to what kind of business the club will look to do when interested clubs come calling, and who will stump up the money David Sullivan and co. are likely to demand.

Arsenal and Chelsea are considered as frontrunners to sign Rice, while interest remains from multi-time Premier League winners Manchester City and Liverpool – the latter of whom clearly needs a player of Rice’s calibre to steady an increasingly rocky ship. Manchester United have also been in the mix previously, but Erik ten Hag’s eyes remain locked on Frenkie de Jong and United did sign Casemiro in the summer.

That cluster of clubs know that West Ham are unlikely to do business at anything less than £100m – 90min understands that’s the figure that would likely lead to a sale – with Jack Grealish’s move from Aston Villa to Manchester City in the summer of 2021 likely to used as a benchmark.

There’s also the £105m fee that Chelsea just paid Benfica for Enzo Fernandez to consider. Many would argue that Rice offers just as much in terms of an overall midfield package – he’s only two years older than Fernandez (though he admittedly doesn’t have a World Cup under his belt) – and it’s conceivable that West Ham will argue that Rice’s extensive Premier League experience has significant monetary value.

“Wherever Declan ends up, or however much someone pays for him, whether it’s here or anywhere else, he’s worth every penny.”
– Mark Noble on Declan Rice

A move is also likely to be in the offing for Rice’s England teammate Jude Bellingham; currently tearing it up for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. The 19-year-old is on the radar of City and Liverpool, as well as Real Madrid, and is likely to cost in excess of £100m if he moves because he doesn’t have a release clause written into his Dortmund contract like Erling Haaland did.

If Bellingham costs that much, why wouldn’t West Ham demand the same for Rice?

What’s clear is that whoever does win the race to sign Rice is signing a player who can do it all. A relentless runner in midfield who cuts out balls in the passing lanes for fun. An organiser and leader who has dragged players up to his level over the past couple of years. A midfield powerhouse who loves to drive out from defence with the ball at his feet to spring a lightning fast counter attack. A Champions League quality player.

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EPL

Harry Maguire suggests he isn’t ‘properly appreciated’ at Man Utd

Published

2 hours ago

March 25, 2023

Sean Walsh

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has suggested that he is not as appreciated at club level as he is for England.

Maguire made the switch to the Red Devils for £80m back in 2019 and has since divided opinion after being named the skipper less than a year later. This season, he was quickly dropped by incoming United manager Erik ten Hag in favour of Raphael Varane and summer signing Lisandro Martinez.

At international level however, the centre-back has been one of England’s most dependable performers under Gareth Southgate, playing a major role in the Three Lions’ deep tournament runs over the last five years.

Maguire started for England in Thursday’s 2-1 win at Italy in Euro 2024 qualifying. He didn’t cover himself in glory for the Azzurri’s goal but stood tall late on to help grind out the victory.

Speaking to the media post-match, Maguire was asked if he feels ‘properly appreciated’.

“For England, yes, I do,” he replied. “Obviously, last season was difficult for the club, but, listen, I’ve proven myself to Gareth, who works with a wide range of centre backs. He has the choice of all the English centre-backs in the country and I play, every time I’m available, I’ve been in the team.

“I’m sure if you ask the rest of the lads they know what I bring to the team. I’m 30 years old but I shouldn’t really need to prove myself at this level. I’ve over 50 caps. I’m England’s top-scoring defender.

“I’ve played nearly 200 times for Manchester United, I’ve captained the club for three years now, but I do also understand that when you’re the captain of Manchester United you do come under the most amount of scrutiny. Last season at club level, my performance wasn’t good enough, alongside everybody else at club level, not just myself struggled. Everyone else struggled.”

Maguire recognises that he has not always been at his best while wearing a United shirt.

He was an easy scapegoat during their dreadful 2021/22 season in which they recorded their lowest ever points tally in the Premier League era.

That said, Maguire has also failed to kick on and if anything has taken several steps backwards after what was a promising first half to 2021, emerging as one of the league’s leading centre-backs and playing out of his skin while unfit in England’s run to the Euro 2020 final.

His case hasn’t been helped by his outward need silence critics, notably scoring for England and sticking his fingers in his ears as a celebration amid his decline for United.

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EPL

Arsenal lead Rice race; Man Utd eye Ferguson

Published

2 hours ago

March 25, 2023

90min

90min rounds up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world…

Arsenal remain ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign Declan Rice from West Ham this summer. The midfielder’s preference is to stay in London amid previous links to Manchester City and Manchester United. (Football Insider)

New Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel will look to reunite with Chelsea duo Mateo Kovacic and Edouard Mendy when the summer window rolls around. (Calciomercato)

Manchester United are ready to send Amad Diallo back to Sassuolo as part of a bid to sign Italy midfielder Davide Frattesi. (CMW)

Another player on Manchester United‘s radar is Brighton striker Evan Ferguson. The 18-year-old scored on his debut for the Republic of Ireland earlier this week. (Football Insider)

Liverpool will look to strengthen their defensive ranks with the signing of Dutch defender Perr Schuurs, with current club Torino ready to sell for a fee of €50m. (Tuttosport)

Ilkay Gundogan is likely to leave Manchester City for Barcelona on a free transfer this summer. His contract expires at the end of the season. (The Athletic)

Real Madrid have joined Barcelona and Liverpool in the race to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. (Fabrizio Romano)

Meanwhile, Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga would prefer to join Real Madrid over the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United this summer. (Cadena SER)

After failing with a bid last summer, Chelsea are working on another offer to sign Romeo Lavia from Southampton. (Football Insider)

Arsenal and Newcastle are monitoring Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojland, who grabbed a hat-trick on his international debut for Denmark this week. (Tutto Atalanta)

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EPL

Arsenal pre-season 2023/24: Fixtures and schedule

Published

12 hours ago

March 24, 2023

Euan Burns

Having reached new heights in the Premier League in 2022/23, Arsenal will soon be beginning their preparations for the new campaign with a pre-season tour to get ready for 2023/24.

Preparations for last season took place in Germany for Arsenal but with the Covid-19 pandemic a bit more of a distant memory for many, it is expected that more teams will be heading further afield again to either the United States of America or Asia.

Arsenal are yet to announce a full training camp location for their pre-season but they do have one fixture already confirmed which drops a big clue.

The Gunners are going to be coming up against an MLS All-Star team in Washington D.C. which will be coached by Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney. That takes place on July 19 and it is hard to imagine that Arsenal will only play one game in America.

A semi-regular fixture of Arsenal’s pre-seasons in recent years has been the Emirates Cup, but there has not been any word on whether an edition of that will be taking place or not this summer. If there is, then Arsenal could be splitting their time between America and London.

All times BST.

As is the case for almost every big club in football now, all of Arsenal’s pre-season friendlies are expected to be televised live on Arsenal.com and their official app with a subscription.

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