Ten Hag "would love" to sign "world-class" £150m star for Man Utd this summer - journalist

Manchester United would show ‘a real signal of intent’ by sealing West Ham United star Declan Rice’s arrival at Old Trafford this summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Red Devils are preparing to enter a new era, with Erik ten Hag moving into the hot seat at the end of the season, and it appears the Dutchman wants Rice to be among his first signings.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Manchester United are set to go head-to-head with rivals Manchester City as they look to lure Rice away from West Ham.

The report suggests ten Hag wants to build a new-look team around the central midfielder, having seen the Red Devils miss out on Champions League qualification.

However, it will be difficult to do business with West Ham as the Hammers hierarchy have slapped a £150million price tag on their prised asset.

The east Londoners are desperate to keep Rice, who has been described as ‘world-class’, at the club and have even put an eight-year contract worth £200,000-per-week on the table.

West Ham are in a strong negotiating position ahead of the summer as the 23-year-old still has more than two years remaining on his £62,000-per-week deal and his current employers also hold an option of extending the agreement by 12 months.

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O’Rourke believes incoming Manchester United manager ten Hag would show he means business by snatching Rice away from West Ham.

However, the journalist has doubts as to whether a deal can be struck during the upcoming transfer window.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “I’m sure they would love to sign Declan Rice.

“It would be a real signal of intent if they were able to do that, but I think, this summer, it might just