Man Utd should 'give armband' to 'perfect' £150m target at Old Trafford

Manchester United target Declan Rice could be the ‘perfect leader’ for the club going forwards, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Red Devils have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old in recent months following several outstanding displays for both club and country.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Rice turned down a third offer of a new contract from West Ham over the last few days and is open to a move away in the summer.

It’s claimed that the terms would have made him the best-paid player in the capital club’s history, with the England international taking home around £200,000-per-week had he signed on the dotted line.

However, Rice still has two years remaining on his existing deal, with West Ham’s hierarchy having the option to extend his stay by a further 12 months.

The defensive-minded midfielder has no intention of committing his long-term future to the east London outfit, though, and has previously outlined his ‘urgent’ desire to win silverware and play in the Champions League.

A number of clubs including United, Manchester City and Chelsea are known to be interested in Rice, but West Ham’s manager, David Moyes, has emphasised that his prized asset is ‘not for sale’.

“£150 million just now would be the minimum, but he is not for sale. What I do know is that it means there are only certain clubs that could even consider it,” Moyes claimed.

United are currently enduring a difficult season, with much criticism aimed at club-captain Harry Maguire, and Jones believes the 20-time English champions should ‘take the armband’ off the defender and ‘give it’ to Rice.

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He told GiveMeSport: “Manchester United need