West Ham’s star midfielder Declan Rice is the player need this summer, according to hero Jack Wilshere.
Strengthening the midfield is a priority for new Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag, who wants a reunion with ’s Frenkie de Jong.
Although a fee of £56.2million has been broadly agreed between the two clubs, the move is being held up by deferred salary payments owed to the player, believed to be around £17m.
Meanwhile, Rice has been a long-term target for the Red Devils, although West Ham’s current stance is that the player is not for sale.
The 23-year-old has enhanced his reputation with a series of top performances for the Hammers and England, culminating in a huge price tag of £150m being set.
‘The first thing to say is that he is not for sale,’ said West Ham boss Moyes in April.
‘But if you are interested, well, it will be north of that, because £100million was cheap last summer, and £150million just now would be minimum – but he is not for sale.’
A deal for free agent Christian Eriksen is close, while United are also pushing to sign versatile defender Lisandro Martinez from Ajax.
But former Arsenal star Wilshere thinks the one player United must sign this summer is Rice.
‘I’ll tell you who you [United] need, Declan Rice,’ Wilshere told talkSPORT.
When it was put to him that everyone needs Rice, the ex- midfielder said: ‘Yeah, but United NEED him.’
As United’s deal for De Jong stalls, Chelsea have entered the race for the midfielder.
Wilshere, who is a fan of the 25-year-old, insists the Red Devils need him more than the Blues.
‘Man United need him more than Chelsea need him,’ Wilshere said of De Jong.
‘I think he’s a great player, I watch him a lot. He’s very comfortable and silky on the ball, I think he would suit England, actually.
‘He’s a bit like [Andrea] Pirlo but he’s got the ability to glide past players.’
, .
,  and .
