Newcastle United are reportedly considering an ambitious swoop for West Ham United captain Declan Rice this summer, but he is a player who the Magpies will have to break the bank for.
Rice is a player who Newcastle have discussed making a move for ahead of next season according to the Telegraph, with the club planning to make at least four ‘elite’ signings.
The England international would certainly fall into that category, and could prove to be the missing ingredient in Eddie Howe’s midfield. Just imagine him alongside Bruno Guimaraes…
But daydreaming aside, it has also been claimed that Newcastle are playing down their chances of signing Rice during the summer transfer window.
That is possibly down to the price tag, as a new report from the Times states that PIF will have to smash the club’s transfer record once again if they want to bring the 24-year-old to St James’ Park.
Newcastle must pay more than £80m for Declan Rice
According to the Times, Rice is likely to leave West Ham this summer – but will cost more than £80million. They add that Arsenal and Chelsea are interested.
The Telegraph believe that Newcastle are keen too, and it looks like a move for the midfielder would be a real statement of intent.
With the Times believing he will cost more than £80million, the Newcastle owners are going to have to break the bank to get Rice. They broke the club’s transfer record to bring in Alexander Isak for £63million last summer, and will need to pay about £20million more than that to get Rice.
But is he worth that much? As Kieran Trippier says, he is an ‘unbelievable‘ player, but paying that kind of money could seriously impact any other incomings over the summer. And with four ‘elite’ players being targeted, spending £80million+ on just one might be unwise.
Newcastle have plenty of other midfielders on their radar – and one’s that won’t cost as much as Rice. However, they might struggle to sign someone better than him.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
