West Ham United have made it clear to Manchester United that any attempts to prise Declan Rice away from the club during talks for Jesse Lingard will prove unsuccessful.
The Hammers are desperate to sign the playmaker on a permanent basis this summer following his incredible loan spell in east London.
Lingard took his tally for the club to ten with two goals in 3-2 win against Leicester on Sunday, helping the Hammers back into fourth and the final Champions League spot.
United value Lingard at around £30m and they’re confident of selling at that price given his recent performances, particularly as West Ham are unlikely to be the only club interested in the England international.
Lingard, for his part, remains keen on staying at Old Trafford but should he choose to leave then he wants to stay at the London Stadium.
The Red Devils are open to selling and with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen on signing Declan Rice, it makes sense for the club to use the Hammers’ interest in Lingard as leverage in negotaitions.
But the Sun report that the Hammers have responded defiantly to United’s plans and have told Solskjaer’s side that there is no chance of signing Rice this summer.
The Hammers want to negotiate a deal solely for Lingard and will not entertain any attempts to prise Rice, the club’s vice-captain, away from the club.
In any case, Rice is valued at over £100m by the Hammers and he is likely to want to stay if the Hammers can pull off a top four finish.
Today’s win against the Foxes means they’re just one point short of Brendan Rodgers’ side, with just seven matches remaining.
