Manchester United considering Declan Rice – Jesse Lingard swap deal
According to The Athletic (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United are exploring the possibility of swapping Jesse Lingard for West Ham United star Declan Rice in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils star has seen his stock rise following an impressive loan spell with the Hammers. Untied are now seeking to leverage that to their advantage.
West Ham does not have a clause in their loan deal for Lingard to make the move permanent. David Moyes is, however, determined to make the 28-year-old a new home in London.
Lingard’s contract at United runs until the end of next summer. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to strike while the iron is hot and sell Lingard when his stock is at a high.
The 28-year-old was at best a bit-part player under the Norwegian at Old Trafford. Whether it is Solskjaer’s inability to get the best out of him or Moyes’ experience, Lingard is a different beast at West Ham.
The player, for his part, has not ruled out a return to the Theatre of Dreams. But whether it entails being involved in first-team football is debatable.
With Nemanja Matic not getting any younger, Rice is seen as a long-term alternative to the veteran Serbian. More so the West Ham man’s ability to also fill in at centre-back makes him an attractive proposition.
The Hammers are unlikely to let Rice go on the cheap and a top-four finish will just strengthen their hand. What United decide to offer remains to be seen.
More Manchester United News
- Barcelona interested in Manchester United superstar Paul Pogba
- Manchester United set to rekindle interest in Dejan Kulusevski
- Loan Watch: Manchester United loanee Facundo Pellistri suffers fibrillar tear
It was recently reported that West Ham are willing to do ‘what it takes’ to sign Lingard permanently. It will be a welcome surprise if they are ready to let go of Rice to achieve that.