Paul Merson has compared Declan Rice to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante and he has called on the England international to leave West Ham this summer in order to further his career.

While he believes a switch to Manchester United is a possibility for Rice, Merson thinks that, if the Red Devils miss out on the top four, it could end their chances of signing the midfielder:

“Declan Rice should strike while the iron’s hot and leave West Ham this summer. He’s taken his game to another level this season and is playing [like] N’Golo Kante now, affecting things at both ends of the pitch. I’d be surprised if Declan Rice is playing for West Ham next season. They have completely punched above their weight for months. Where could he go? Depends what happens at Chelsea and who buys the club. Manchester United would be a good move, but will they get in the Champions League? That’s where Rice wants to play.”

If Champions League football is the be-all and end-all for Rice then United may miss out on securing the midfielder’s signature, with the way things are going in the league this campaign.

However, as we have seen in the past with Paul Pogba, United’s pulling power is so strong that players will still move to Old Trafford even if they are not participating in Europe’s top competition.

Whether that will be the case for Rice, if the Red Devils table a sizeable bid for the 23-year-old at the end of the season, we shall have to wait and see.