Liverpool: £70m 'leader' now of 'interest' at Anfield | OneFootball

Liverpool are interested in bringing West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice to Anfield, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Reds continue to be heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, but Jones says Rice is also on Jurgen Klopp’s radar.

Football Insider recently reported that West Ham expect to lose Rice, who has been described as a “leader” by The Times’ Henry Winter, to a Champions League club next summer.

In terms of who that could actually be, the same outlet has named Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all as teams who are currently keeping close tabs on the England international.

Elsewhere, an article from The Telegraph claims Rice could cost £70m, while it has also stated that Liverpool are chasing Bellingham.

It will now be interesting to see where both players end up if they are allowed to leave their respective clubs next summer.

What has Dean Jones said about Declan Rice and Liverpool?

Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that Rice is indeed someone who Liverpool are looking at.

Speaking to GMS, the journalist said: “Declan Rice is someone of interest, and we know that both of these players are almost certain to make transfers in 2023. But it’d be interesting if Liverpool don’t land Bellingham to see what they consider to be most important.

“Is it an emerging talent, or is it just someone that is considered one of the best in the world?”

Declan Rice’s contract situation

As per Transfermarkt, Rice’s existing deal runs until 2024, but West Ham can extend it by a further year.

According to Salary Sport, the 23-year-old’s wages are £62,000 a week, but you would expect that to significantly increase if he signs a new deal at the Hammers or joins Liverpool next summer.

At this moment in time, there are not too many better defensive midfielders than Rice in the Premier League. His average of 1.6 interceptions per game is actually one of the best in the division (via WhoScored).

It means Rice’s next contract, wherever he signs it, is probably going to have to be a big one.

West Ham will be hoping that it is at the London Stadium, but Rice is going to find it hard to say no to a team like Liverpool. And given that his current deal is running down, you cannot rule out the England star moving to Anfield, Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford or somewhere else next summer.