Two factors could stop Manchester United from signing West Ham captain Declan Rice this summer, according to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein.

The journalist claims the club’s ownership situation, combined with the summer addition of Casemiro, means there are doubts over whether the Red Devils will go all in to sign someone like Rice:

“We need to keep an eye on other clubs like Manchester United, who have often been linked with Declan Rice. But also, who will be the ownership at the time and are they still in the market to bolster their midfield in a way that we’ve been led to believe in recent years because they’ve been short of top midfield options until the arrival of Casemiro.”

It is believed that West Ham could sell Rice for a fee of around £75m to £85m next summer, which is a reasonable figure, considering that he is English and an established international.

The midfielder has refused a number of offers to extend his contract at the London Stadium and the feeling is that the Hammers won’t stand in his way if a Champions League club comes in for him at the end of the season.

Ornstein seems to believe, however, that United may not get involved in the transfer battle for Rice with it likely to be a “toss-up” between Chelsea and Arsenal instead.