Paul Merson tells Man United to 'break the bank' to sign Declan Rice

Paul Merson believes Man United should pull out all the stops to sign Declan Rice in the summer.

Paul Merson has advised Manchester United to “break the bank” and sign West Ham star Declan Rice in the summer.

The Red Devils have been linked to the England international for a long time but have so far failed to lure him to Old Trafford.

And despite the Hammers valuing Rice at around the £100m mark, former Arsenal midfielder Merson believes United should go all out for the 23-year-old.

He told Sky Sports: “I think Declan Rice will be gone this summer. I think it will be Man United, if you’re Man United you’ve got to break the bank.

“If you look at their midfield it is not strong enough, they don’t dominate football matches and for me, they have to go and get him.

“I think he is the best in the business, he has improved immensely, he has taken his game up not one or two, I think he has taken it up ten-fold.

Paul Merson: "If you look at their [#mufc] midfield it is not strong enough, they don't dominate football matches and for me, they have to go and get him [Declan Rice].” [sky sports]
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) February 4, 2022

“From a holding midfield player, he is bombing forward, scoring goals, getting chances, and making goals. I can’t talk highly enough of the lad, I think he’s been absolutely phenomenal.

“Chelsea could go and get him but they could do without him. They’ve still got Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante – three unbelievable midfield players and they dominate football matches.

“But you look at Man United and the midfield isn’t strong enough to win anything really.”

Rice recently admitted on Gary Neville’s Overlap Podcast that he wants to “stay close” to his south-west London roots, and added that Old Trafford was one of his favourite places to play.