‘Strike while the iron is hot’ –“ Paul Merson tells £100m rated player to consider a move to Manchester United now that he’s needed
West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has been a mainstay in the West Ham first team in recent years.
The 23-year-old is now rated as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, with West Ham valuing him at over £100m.
Paul Merson has told Rice to leave West Ham at the end of the season, and mentioned Manchester United as a worthy destination.
“Declan Rice should strike while the iron’s hot and leave West Ham this summer,” Merson told the Daily Star.
“He’s taken his game to another level this season and is playing N’Golo Kante now, affecting things at both ends of the pitch.
“I’d be surprised if Declan Rice is playing for West Ham next season. They have completely punched above their weight for months.
“Where could he go? Depends what happens at Chelsea and who buys the club. Manchester United would be a good move, but will they get in the Champions League? That’s where Rice wants to play.
“They play Tottenham this weekend and playing Spurs should always be a big game for West Ham but the Europa League game against Sevilla was a bigger one.
“West Ham have gone past Spurs, and to be honest I don’t know how Tottenham have allowed that to happen. You just hope West Ham don’t miss out on the Champions League by a point or two, because they will be kicking themselves. They will be wondering why they didn’t go out and get another striker in January.”