England midfielder Declan Rice has told reporters “you only get one career” after declaring his interest to play in the Champions League.
It’s arguably the biggest hint yet from Rice to suggest that he is ready to move on from West Ham.
Rice, 23, is one of England’s most important players and he was previously linked with a move to Manchester United as well as Chelsea. The Red Devils are not in the Champions League this season, but there’s a very good chance we will be next season.
Erik ten Hag is building for the future but there has been little to suggest he wants to sign Rice. For instance, United spent over 100 days chasing Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong last summer. Rice wasn’t even in an option at the time.
The West Ham captain has just 18 months left on his existing deal, so there is a chance his club will cash in next summer. They could also trigger a 12-month extension to their contract but that may go against the player’s wishes.
More Stories / Latest NewsReporters asked Rice if he wanted to play in Europe’s biggest competition at a press conference on Thursday.
“Yeah – one hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League,” said Rice. “For the last two or three years I’ve been saying that.
“I’ve been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing. I see my friends here [with England at the World Cup in Qatar], who are playing Champions League and competing for big trophies.
“You only get one career and at the end of it you want to look back at what you’ve won and thew biggest games you’ve played in. I really want to do that.”
Footage courtesy of Sky Sports News
While Rice looks a fantastic player and he could be available in a cut-price deal, I think we will be on the lookout for alternative options in the market.
Rice would improve most top teams in the Premier League — including United — but I would be surprised if he remained a priority at Old Trafford.
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