According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid will try to sign Declan Rice if they lose out to Liverpool in the race for Jude Bellingham.
What’s the story?
Well, the European champions are keen to sign the Borussia Dortmund wonderkid, although Carlo Ancelotti faces competition from Jürgen Klopp.
In fact, Liverpool are said to have already submitted a bid for the 19-year-old, who is interested in a move to Anfield.
If the Reds manage to secure Bellingham’s signature, then it seems West Ham will be under threat.
Defensa Central believe Rice is highly rated by those at the Santiago Bernabeu, although Los Blancos are well aware that the east Londoners will not make negotiations simple.
The Spanish news outlet add that the 23-year-old is valued at €80m (£69m) by the Hammers, which seems a little low – David Moyes has already admitted it will take an offer of £150m to even start the discussion.
Defensa Central also emphasise how Rice is far more defensive-minded in comparison to Bellingham, so he wouldn’t exactly be a like-for-like alternative to the teenage sensation.
West Ham will hope Liverpool lose out to Real Madrid
In our view, Moyes will be desperate for Real Madrid to win the race for Bellingham, as the prospect of losing Rice would become very real if the Spanish giants express an interest.
Very few players turn Real Madrid down, while they also have the finances to fund major deals – therefore, they could certainly offer West Ham a tempting sum of money.
Rice also has just two years remaining on his contract, so a difficult conversation is on the horizon – the Irons surely want to avoid letting their No.41 enter the final 12 months of his contract, as it may affect the amount they receive.
Whatever happens, be sure to keep an eye on this potential transfer merry-go-round.
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