Newcastle United have reportedly joined the race for West Ham United's Declan Rice.
The Hammers managed to keep hold of Rice last summer despite a host of speculation, but he is widely expected to leave the London Stadium ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are among the clubs to be credited with an interest in the England international, who has entered the final 18 months of his contract with West Ham.
However, according to Football Insider, Newcastle are also in the running for his signature, with the Magpies preparing to make a move if they qualify for next season's Champions League.
Eddie Howe's side, who became one of the richest clubs in the world with their recent takeover, are currently third in the Premier League table, three points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
© Reuters
West Ham are said to be willing to sell their captain this summer providing that they receive an offer in excess of £80m.
Rice, speaking at the 2022 World Cup, suggested that he was looking to leave the Hammers in the near future.
"One hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League," Rice told reporters in Qatar. "For the last two or three years I've been saying that.
"I've been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing. I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies.
"You only get one career and at the end you want to look back at what you've won and the biggest games you've played in. I really want to do that."
© Reuters
Rice, who made his debut for West Ham in 2017, has now represented the Hammers on 221 occasions in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and contributing 13 assists.
This season, the Englishman has featured on 26 occasions in all competitions, contributing one goal and three assists in the process.
Newcastle are only likely to have a serious chance of landing Rice if they are able to secure a position in the 2023-24 Champions League, with the midfielder determined to play in Europe's top competition.
Howe's side are also believed to be monitoring Jude Bellingham's situation at Borussia Dortmund, with Rice's international teammate also expected to be on the move in a big-money deal this summer.
