BT Sport pundit Joe Cole believes West Ham midfielder Declan Rice could be tempted by a move to Manchester City because of the lure of winning silverware.
Reports about the Premier League champions’ interest have resurfaced in recent days, and Cole says that if the England international does leave the Hammers, the Citizens would be a more attractive destination than Manchester United:
“I wouldn’t go [to United] if I was Declan Rice, no. I think you run the risk of going there and still not winning trophies. I think if Man City were on the table, you’d go there because in recent years it guarantees you trophies and I think Declan would want that. But for me there’s no reason for him to not stay at West Ham if the progress is still going in that [upward] pattern, but that’s for him and the owners. He needs better players around him at West Ham to go to that next level.”
It should be pointed out too that Cole’s former club Chelsea are also thought to be in the mix for Rice, but any interested club would have to match the 22-year-old’s sizeable asking price.
West Ham are expected to demand in excess of £100m, which would break City’s current transfer record. Whether the Manchester club need another holding midfielder that badly, it is doubtful.
While a replacement for captain Fernandinho will be required, they already possess an excellent alternative in Rodri, who has been in outstanding form so far this season.
