Manchester United have set their sights on a permanent transfer for West Ham United captain Declan Rice this summer, Sami Mokbel reports for DailyMail. 

The Red Devils become the second team to indicate concrete interest in the 24-year-old English midfielder after Arsenal initiated contacts earlier this week.

Mokbel revealed that West Ham were hoping to spark a bidding war for their influential midfieldeder, who they value at £100m, and are pleased with the decision of the Red Devils to rival Arsenal for the midfielder.

Chelsea are longstanding admirers of the midfielder’s talents but have yet to make a concrete move towards signing him. Arsenal tested the waters by informing the Hammers that they valued the player at £90m, according to Mokbel.

The Gunners are most advanced in talks over the player, but that could change as United have entered into the discussion.

Which team suits Declan Rice best?

Rice is wanted by three of the traditional Big Six in English football, giving him a good number of choices. The midfielder is perfectly suited to Chelsea, seeing as they lack a player of his profile, but a move to Stamford Bridge seems bleak.

Chelsea are on the verge of losing Mason Mount, who is Rice’s best friend, and this will undoubtedly sway the 24-year-old to not join the Blues.

The Red Devils are looking to strengthen their midfield with steel and experience, and Rice is a good option to provide competition for Casemiro. They have made initial contact with Chelsea over a move for Mount, and this could help them get Rice, too.

Arsenal have the most convincing project of the three teams and need Rice to provide dynamism and leadership in midfield.

Rice has often reiterated his wish to play in the UEFA Champions League and this would rule Chelsea out. A move to Manchester United is most likely for the midfielder this summer.