The Man Utd midfielder lined up to replace Declan Rice

Karan Tejwani

• Updated: 21 Feb 2023 14:17 GMT
• 3 min read

West Ham United have identified the midfielder they want to sign if they are to sell Declan Rice to another club this summer and could get him to London Stadium for a decent price.

Rice is of interest to various clubs in England and he could be on the move as he can find his place at a Champions League-level club.

The England star has been at West Ham all his career and is currently their captain, while also being a mainstay in Gareth Southgate’s midfield.

READ: West Ham plot £100m raid on Man Utd

Should he depart, there could be a move on the cards for Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, who is on the fringes at Old Trafford.

Man Utd midfielder targeted

Rice has been linked with moves to clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City and he could go for a big fee.

There have been suggestions that he could cost upwards of £100 million if he goes and that would allow West Ham to significantly reinvest in a replacement for the player.

READ: Man Utd: Bayern Munich set Marcel Sabitzer price over permanent switch

West Ham are eyeing a move for McTominay should Rice leave and they feel they could land him for around £25 million, although Manchester United want more.

According to Football Insider, McTominay is a top candidate and given his status at Old Trafford, he could be allowed to leave in the summer.

He has fallen behind in the pecking order following the arrivals of players like Casemiro, Marcel Sabitzer and Christian Eriksen, and game time has been limited as a result.

The Scottish midfielder has a contract at the club until the summer of 2025 and he could depart this year, giving Manchester United the chance to earn a significant sum for him.

Other than McTominay, West Ham are also keeping tabs on other players like Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and could make a move for him to succeed Rice.