Transfer Rumors: Manchester United Receives Boost In Pursuit Of World-Class Midfielder

Manchester United now appears to have a clear path toward signing West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, a report has suggested.

Chelsea has fixed its sights on AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni instead of Rice, The Athletic’s Simon Johnson reported.

The 21-year-old French player was believed to have been on Chelsea’s wishlist of midfielder targets this past summer, but a deal did not happen in the end. According to Johnson, the Blues’ upper management thought Tchouameni would benefit from another year of playing in Ligue 1 before they go after him.

Chelsea instead signed Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez this summer on a season-long loan deal.

For Manchester United fans, this is still great news as their greatest rival in the race for Rice is dropping out. Rice was on Manchester United’s radar this summer as well as the club sought to upgrade the midfield by bringing in someone who specializes in defensive tactics.

West Ham United was in a position of strength to keep Rice since his current contract runs through 2024 and opted not to sell the England international team player. Placing a £100 million ($138 million) price tag on Rice’s head was enough to put off both Chelsea and Manchester United from pursuing the 22-year-old.

The Red Devils were also linked to Tchouameni this summer, but the rumors were faint and Rice’s name was more prominent compared to the French youngster’s.

Manchester United had one of its best transfer windows in recent memory as it was finally able to bring in Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund. The club complemented his signing by going after Raphael Varane and then Cristiano Ronaldo to round it all out.

United's moves were a strong indication that the club is intensifying its efforts to win the English Premier League for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

In addition to Rice, the Premier League stalwarts are also said to be looking into signing Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans next summer, according to the Manchester Evening News.

It is believed that Tielemans is being pegged as a potential replacement for French midfielder Paul Pogba, should he decide to leave next summer.

Pogba has been receiving interest from other top-flight European clubs such as Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.