Italy midfielder Marco Verratti says reported Liverpool target Declan Rice is due a move to a ‘great team.’
Rice looks almost certain to leave West Ham United this summer, with Liverpool one of the many clubs credited with an interest in signing him. And speaking ahead of Italy’s Euro 2024 qualifier with England tonight, Verratti praised the 24-year-old.
“He is a player that I like a lot, he gives balance to the team,” the PSG man said via Calciomercato. “He is the number 6 that this England needs and he will end up in a great team, he has ample room for improvement.”
Rice to Liverpool still on the boil
Rice might not be the most prominent name on Liverpool’s shortlist this summer, but he could still end up joining.
Right now, the Hammers captain looks more likely to stay in London with Arsenal or Chelsea. But should he decide to venture up North, Liverpool would certainly welcome him.
Of course, how serious the Reds are about Rice may largely depend on the future of Jude Bellingham. Signing the two together could cost as much as £200m – surely impossible for Liverpool.
Bellingham would be the more costly of the two, with it claimed that Rice may be get-able at for ‘little’ as £70m. The only way it feels possible for Liverpool to end up with the West Ham midfielder is by missing out on Jude.
In that scenario, Rice would be a decent consolation. Some pundits have even suggested that the 24-year-old would be a better fit for Jurgen Klopp than Bellingham.
Although we don’t agree with that, Verratti’s words go to show that the England international is hugely respected by the top players in his position. It might end up being Liverpool, it likely won’t, but Rice will make a really good signing for someone this summer regardless.