Manchester United made a club-record bid to sign West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice during last summer’s transfer window, according to talkSPORT.
The Red Devils spent much of last summer trying to sign Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong but the Netherlands international made it clear that he did not want to leave.
As a result, they ended up pursuing Casemiro from Real Madrid. The 30-year-old has been one of United’s best signings with several stand-out performances.
It is now reported that the Red Devils made an ambitious attempt to land Rice for £100 million last summer but the Hammers had no plans of selling him.
However, they are open to doing business at the end of the season. The Hammers are set to demand £120m plus add-ons for Rice in the next transfer window.
United are still interested in signing him but face fresh competition from Arsenal and Chelsea.
United could move for Rice despite Casemiro’s success
Casemiro has been a revelation for United since his move from the Bernabeu. He had a slow start to his career but has grown in confidence after adapting to the league.
Putting his disciplinary record aside, the Brazilian star has been instrumental in the club’s push for Champions League football. He is already a clear favourite among fans.
Hence, it is unlikely that he will be displaced from the number six role anytime soon. United could still attempt to land Rice, who would be perfectly suited to play alongside Casemiro.
The England ace is one of the best ball distributors in the Premier League. While he is known for his defensive qualities, he has also managed over 25 shots and created over 25 chances this term.
He has the credentials to develop into a quality number eight. Christian Eriksen could be used as a rotational player alongside Rice if the latter makes the switch to Old Trafford this summer.
Diogo Dalot set to sign Manchester United deal
Diogo Dalot is reportedly on the verge of signing a new contract with Manchester United, thus ending Barcelona’s hopes of landing him.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Diogo Dalot will remain with Manchester United for the foreseeable future. The Portuguese international is set to sign a new contract with the Red Devils. And the latest development should end Barcelona’s hopes of signing him.
Diogo Dalot took his time to get going but has established a foothold at Manchester United. The Portuguese international arrived at Old Trafford from FC Porto amid a lot of hype surrounding him. But he had to grind his way to the top of the pecking order and spent a season on loan at AC Milan.
However, Dalot has been the first-choice right-back for Manchester United in the last twelve months. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a solid 2022/23 season, chipping in with one goal and two assists in 23 appearances. And the player’s progress has captured the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Barcelona.
Barcelona will look to bolster the right-back department in the summer transfer window as Xavi Hernandez yearns for a long-term solution. The Blaugrana parted ways with Hector Bellerin in the January transfer window. And the Barcelona manager has Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto as his only right-back options.
So it is hardly surprising that Barcelona will look to sign a top-class right-back in the summer. Dalot had thus emerged as a viable target for the Catalan outfit. And Barcelona harboured hopes of signing the Manchester United defender for some time as he had entered the final year of his contract.
But widespread reports suggested that the Portuguese international was an “impossible target” for Barcelona. And the Catalan giants now need to look elsewhere as he is set to sign a contract with Manchester United. The report claims that talks between the two parties have advanced.
The 23-year-old will sign a new five-year contract with Manchester United. And that should end Barcelona’s hopes of securing Dalot’s services in the summer. But the Catalan giants have other right-backs on their radar, including Juan Foyth.
Source: manutdnews.com; thehardtackle.com
