Manchester United are to rival Chelsea for the signature of Declan Rice as they seek a replacement for Paul Pogba, reports claim.
According to talkSPORT, United are interested in signing long-time Blues target Rice with the French international lining up a move away from Old Trafford next summer.
Frank Lampard is keen to bring the Chelsea academy graduate back to Stamford Bridge from West Ham where he has established himself as a versatile and dependable figure in both midfield and in a defensive role.
But the report says that United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also an admirer of the 21-year-old England international who recently brought up 100 Premier League appearances.
Rice is said to favour a move back to Chelsea over a move to Manchester, should he leave the Hammers.
It is a claim backed up by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano who told the Here We Go podcast: “Declan Rice is still pushing to join Chelsea. But it is up to Chelsea to negotiate a fee with West Ham, which will be difficult in January.”
And the Express believe Chelsea have already made their minds up over a January move for Rice after being put off by West Ham’s hefty £73m valuation over the summer.