Liverpool have been priced out of signing West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, according to The Independent.
As per the report, the Irons are still demanding £100m to part ways with the 24-year-old, despite the fact they could face relegation from the Premier League.
Arsenal and Chelsea are seen as potential destinations for the England international.
Manchester United no longer have the need for him, Manchester City have cooled their interest, and Liverpool cannot afford the Hammers’s asking price.
The Reds have been eyeing alternative targets since dropping out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham, but after initial inquiries, Rice also proves to be outside of the club’s budget.
Liverpool can’t afford Rice
This is a shame for Liverpool, as Rice would be an excellent addition to Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
At just 24-years-old, the midfielder has already earned the captain’s armband at West Ham, for whom he has made 196 Premier League appearances.
With such a wealth of experience, he would slot straight into the Reds’s midfield – perhaps partnering his best friend Mason Mount, who is heavily linked with a move to Anfield this summer.
Rice is under contract at the London Stadium for just over another 12 months, so his £100m price-tag seems rather excessive.
However, the club have the ability to extend his deal by an extra year, so Liverpool would face a tough round of negotiations to sign him.
Now it looks like they need to look elsewhere again.