According to the Daily Express, Tottenham are planning a £35m move for Declan Rice this summer. Spurs have been keen on the 20-year-old’s signature for some time, but he signed a new deal with West Ham in December which cooled interest over the January transfer window.
The contract extension was more protection for the Hammers rather than for Rice, however, as they can now refuse bids at their will and demand a higher price. To already be a regular at 20 years of age will bump up his value and CIES believe he’s worth £50m.
Nevertheless, Tottenham should make a move for Rice as he would help to solve their lack of homegrown players, having been developed in the Chelsea and West Ham academies, while also being capable of playing in defence and midfield. He can operate at centre-back and in a deep-lying role.
He may not be cheap, but Rice is already rated highly among his peers and pundits, and there’s interest from clubs other than Tottenham – Liverpool are rumoured to be keen. His potential is great and Mauricio Pochettino has developed young talents into brilliant players with Spurs. Rice could be his next project.