Manchester United ‘abandon Declan Rice pursuit over West Ham’s £90M valuation’… as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘plans moves for defensive midfielder AND Erling Haaland next summer’
- Manchester United will reportedly abandon their pursuit of Declan Rice
- West Ham midfielder was previously been linked with a move to Old Trafford
- Red Devils will pursue alternative midfielders and Erling Haaland next summer
Manchester United will reportedly end their pursuit of Declan Rice because of West Ham’s £90million valuation of the player as their search for a defensive midfielder goes on.
The 22-year-old England international was one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top midfield targets and was previously linked with a move to the Red Devils.
However, it’s claimed United have now set their sights on other targets and will also make a move for Erling Haaland as they look to strengthen further next summer.
Manchester United are set to end their interest in West Ham midfielder Declan Rice
Rice was one of England’s main stars on their way to the Euro 2020 final earlier this summer
According to ESPN there are doubts at Old Trafford over West Ham’s £90m valuation of Rice and whether he can improve the team significantly – despite Solskjaer being a fan of the England international.
There are also question marks over Rice’s pace, both on and off the ball, and whether he’s too similar to Scott McTominay.
United were in the market for a defensively-minded midfielder this summer but prioritised a right winger and a centre back – in the form of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.
As well as a midfielder, Solskjaer is also keen to bring Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland to the club next summer.
Erling Haaland will be in high demand next summer as he’s available for just £77million
The 21-year-old was previously linked with a reunion with the United manager when he departed Red Bull Salzburg, having played under him at Molde, but he instead chose to join the German club.
The demand for Haaland will be very high next summer with the Norwegian striker set to be available for a cut-price fee of just £77m and Premier League rivals Liverpool are also keen on him.
Earlier this month, Dortmund’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke admitted they will struggle to keep Haaland beyond next summer but did not rule out the possibility of him staying either.
He told German Publication Welt am Sonntag: ‘Of course it will be difficult (to keep Haaland).
‘I am not saying, however, that it is completely out of the question. We’ll do everything we can to keep our top players loyal to us in the future.’
