Report – Declan Rice Emerges as a Target for Liverpool

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By Martin Graham | 26th Apr 2022

West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice has been touted as a possible transfer target for Liverpool according to English journalist Dean Jones.

Declan Rice has been one of the Premier League’s most consisten performers in the past three seasons, and at just 23, the Englishman is already a staple of the England Three Lions midfield and is attracting interest from a number of top clubs.

He has gone from strength to strength under David Moyes and was key to their amazing run in the Premier League last season which saw them fall just short of a UEFA Champions League spot. They also stand a big chance of winning a first ever European title due to his incredible performances in the middle of the park against some of Europe’s best teams in the UEFA Europa League.

He has been linked with a move away from West Ham’s London Stadium since last season, with his boyhood club Chelsea at the forefront of those links. Manchester United and Manchester City have also been linked with a move for the midfielder in recent months.

Rice, who has two years left on his current West Ham contract, has also reportedly turned down two contract renewal offers from West Ham. The midfielder wants a move away from the club in favour of one of the bigger clubs who can guarantee him Champions League football and trophies.

Last March, Moyes plainly stated that Rice will cost no less than £150 million in a bid to get the transfer sharks off his back and end the constant quizzing by the press over the midfielder’s future.

Klopp wants Rice, reports say

Rice’s latest contract refusal has now led the club to a decision in which they will accept a £150 million bid from any club for the midfielder while he still has two years to spend at the London Stadium according to his contract.

Journalist Dean Jones now claims that Liverpool could enter the race alongside Man United, Man City and Chelsea. His comments are buttressing earlier claims from Football Insider that the Reds are considering a move for the 23-year-old because Jürgen Klopp likes him.

Jones told GiveMeSport: “Of course, they’re going to be interested in Declan Rice because if Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have had that player on their radar, then you kind of at least have got to consider whether you’re going to need him.”

If there are any truths to Jones’ and Football Insider’s claims, Rice could come in for 36-year-old James Milner who is expected to leave Anfield at the end of the season. He will also be coming into a hugely talented but injury-prone midfield of Thiago Alcantara, Alexander Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita.

However, being a defensive midfielder, Rice will provide solid competition for Fabinho, who is Liverpool’s only defensive midfielder if the move comes to fruition.