Callum Wilson is a big fan of 24-year-old who Newcastle reportedly want to sign

Add as preferred source on Google

Callum Wilson has backed Declan Rice to leave West Ham at the end of the season with Newcastle United linked with the England midfielder.

It looks like West Ham are consigned to losing their star man, Declan Rice this summer, although they aren’t going to make it easy for prospective clubs. David Moyes has been spouting his usual price-hiking rhetoric claiming after their 1-0 win over Manchester United that Rice is the “best English midfielder around“.

On top of that, West Ham declared that they’d sell Rice to a Champions League club for £120million.

Newcastle and Arsenal could battle it out for Declan Rice this summer

That of course leaves the door open for Newcastle as they look set to finish this season in a Champions League spot, but the insane £120million price tag could put them off, as could his wage demands.

Speaking on the Footballer’s Football Podcast, Michail Antonio and Callum Wilson were asked when they generally hear about a new signing in their club. Both said that they tend to find out at the same time as everybody else, but Antonio did say he’d keep an eye on rumours on Twitter but he finds that West Ham are linked with everybody on there so it’s not reliable. Then they joked that Declan Rice is linked with a move away every summer, and Wilson piped up with: “This summer he definitely is leaving! He’s a good player, man. Good player.”

It definitely does look that way, but as to where he goes, that it still up in the air. Newcastle are definitely interested as are Arsenal who are said to be the frontrunners.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are all interested too, but the Champions League part of the deal rules Chelsea out and potentially one of the other two should Newcastle finish in the top four.

Newcastle could opt to go the cash plus player route for Rice

West Ham have also said they’d be willing to accept £100million plus a midfield replacement deal, which could be more suitable for Newcastle. If we’re going to be spending that much money on one player, there will be an increased need to move some players on.

One player on Newcastle’s books who could potentially swing that deal would be Allan Saint-Maximin. He’d be a good fit for West Ham, although that deal only values him at £20million, so the Magpies may feel the need to try and negotiate on the price.

If we could somehow get Declan Rice that would be huge for Newcastle. Landing one of the best English midfielders while he’s still only 24 is some statement. But my feeling is he will end up at Arsenal. It’s much harder to tempt players away from London when they’re already situated there.