Manchester United takeover uncertainty explains Declan Rice stance

Manchester United want to add a new central midfielder to their squad this summer, but they are not currently in the race to sign one of the most exciting ones.

Declan Rice is set to leave West Ham this summer and has previously expressed interest in joining United. Yet it is Arsenal and Man City who lead the way in the race to sign him during the transfer window.

Erik ten Hag is determined to recruit a world-class striker and midfielder this summer, and Rice certainly has the ability to fit the criteria, even if he isn't quite there yet.

The 24-year-old is arguably the best option they could sign right now, following Jude Bellingham's transfer to Real Madrid and Frenkie de Jong's reluctance to leave Barcelona, but it is much easier said than done.

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It has been suggested that it will take at least £100million to secure Rice's signature this summer, and there might be better value for money elsewhere on the continent.

During his first summer at United, Ten Hag insisted he would rather buy English players if there was not a premium on homegrown talent.

He said: "I would like to sign English players because I think there is only one criteria, and that's quality in combination with the price.

"It looks like English players are quite expensive. It's a fact you cannot deny. In the end, it's about quality."

United have made signing a striker their priority, and it is understood that money has already been set aside to finance a potential club-record fee if the right player becomes available.

Adding the type of midfielder they want to the squad won't be so easy, though. Regardless of United's ownership uncertainty, well-placed sources