Declan Rice urged to copy Paul Ince amid Manchester United transfer pursuit

West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has been urged to broaden his horizons amid interest from Manchester United.

Having established himself as one of the hottest properties in Europe, the 22-year-old has already been earmarked by the Old Trafford giants as a top target for this summer's transfer window.

United signed Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo last summer.

At that stage, key figures in the boardroom were unable to recruit a top-level defensive midfielder and Manchester Evening News understands that has, instead, been identified as a priority for next season and that Rice is still target number one in that regard. Amadou Haidara, Boubacar Kamara and Ruben Neves from Wolves are viewed as potential alternatives.

Chelsea have also registered an interest in re-signing a player they previously released from their academy.

However, while Rice is seemingly happy in London, might a move to Manchester or elsewhere be better for him in the long-term for his ongoing development?

Speaking to radio station talkSPORT, former Premier League man Martin Keown said: "If he is going to go anywhere else, probably the club that turned him away for some reason... Chelsea don't often get these things wrong at youth level, but they did there because he has turned into an outstanding player.

"I remember people like Paul Ince and that calibre ending up at Manchester United. We never thought they would do that from leaving West Ham. Let's see where he ends up.

"Wherever he is going to be, his development has been astonishing. He is clearly enjoying in London and wants to stay there, but anything is possible for a young player.

"He shouldn't limit himself to just thinking of a London club."

Sign up to our United newsletter so