Liverpool formed an opinion on Declan Rice after watching him at the World Cup, according to reports. The player could move in 2023.
This comes from the Liverpool Echo. They claim that Liverpool were impressed with Declan Rice at the World Cup.
Impressed enough, it seems, that the Reds have joined the race to sign him. The Echo believe that’s happened in ‘recent weeks’ and directly follows his displays for England.
Whether Liverpool actually move forward on Rice is unclear, however. They’d like to sign him but have other priorities – most notably his international colleague, Jude Bellingham.
Rice could well move in 2023, though, as West Ham United will face a series of offers from major clubs. Chelse are said to be ‘huge admirers’ themselves.
Liverpool form opinion on Declan Rice
We’d love Rice at Anfield and he’d undoubtedly be a fantastic signing. Whether it’s actually possible, though, we’re not sure. Especially as there are at least two other midfielders we’d prefer to see Liverpool go for.
Bellingham is one, with Enzo Fernández the other. Each could command £100m fees – and that surely rules out Rice. It likely rules out signing both, in fact.
Should both of those deals collapse, though, Rice would top our list. He’s a brilliantly versatile midfielder and a homegrown one at that. He’d comfortably fit into Jurgen Klopp’s system, too, as a player capable of playing the holding role but also able to push out and pressure opponents.
There’s a reason Steven Gerrard has labelled him ‘superb’ in the past, after all.
We are likely talking £100m for Rice. West Ham will almost certainly feel too much pressure to sell, but that also means competition for his signature will drive up the price.
Again, if the interest in Bellingham wasn’t there, we’d be all-in on this one. But the teenager is simply too good to ignore and any interest in Rice must take a backseat.