Declan Rice has turned down two offers to sign a new contract at West Ham as he waits to see whether Chelsea or Manchester United try to sign him.
The 22-year-old England international has enjoyed several excellent seasons at West Ham and was heavily pursued by Chelsea last summer, but the Blues were reluctant to meet the Hammers' enormous asking price.
The Blues have reignited their interest this summer under new boss Thomas Tuchel, but they must also contend with interest from United, who see Rice as a potential answer to their problems at defensive midfield.
West Ham are not interested in selling and want to keep Rice around, but according to The Telegraph, the midfielder is keeping his options open and has rejected two opportunities to sign a new contract at the London Stadium.
Rice has halted talks with his current side and is waiting to see whether Chelsea or United formalise their interest.
It's not time for West Ham fans to start panicking just yet. After all, Rice does have three years remaining on his contract, which also includes the option for a fourth year, so West Ham are in no urgent rush to do anything.
With so much time left on his current deal, the Hammers are ready to demand a fee of around £100m for Rice, who is understood to be keen to hear proposals and expects West Ham to seriously consider offers of around £60m.
Both Chelsea and United are considering all their options this summer and have looked at other targets. The former are looking at Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni, while the latter are meeting with Rennes starlet Eduardo Camavinga.
If United do opt to go for Rice, it is suggested that they could offer a player-plus-cash deal which would take Lingard back to the London Stadium after his excellent six-month loan spell with the Hammers came to an end this summer.
West Ham are keen to bring Lingard back but have baulked at his £25m price tag, so the two sides would have to find a compromise if that was to work out.
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Source : 90min