Man Utd could swap Lingard for Declan Rice – Crouch

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 May 2021 11:39 BST
• 1 min read

Peter Crouch has hailed Manchester United-target Declan Rice and has talked up the possibility of a swap deal involving Jesse Lingard.

Man Utd have long been linked with a move for £70 million-rated Rice but, until recently, Chelsea were regarded as the favourites for the holding midfielder’s signature.

However, the recent sacking of Frank Lampard appears to have ended Chelsea’s interest.

And in recent days there have been rumours that Man Utd could offer Lingard plus cash in order to bring Rice to Old Trafford.

Lingard moved to West Ham on loan in January and has enjoyed an excellent start to his spell in East London.

“I love Declan Rice, I have got a few friends who are West Ham fans and they want the club to break the bank, make him club captain and do all that it takes to keep him there for the next 15 years,” former Liverpool, Tottenham and England striker Crouch told the Daily Mail.

“He’s a brilliant player and could play for any of the top sides. The suggestion [of swapping Lingard for Rice] makes sense for United.

“Lingard needs to get away as his time at Old Trafford is up, while Rice is the kind of player United need to add.

“Would West Ham do that deal? I’m not so sure. We’ll see what happens.”