Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince has backed West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice to join Barcelona in the summer.
While there have been no concrete rumours about Rice moving to Catalonia, many expect him to depart West Ham at the end of the season. The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with the Englishman.
Ince believes Rice is the kind of player who could excel at a club like United and go on to win several titles for Barcelona. The 54-year-old said to the Mirror:
“Declan Rice has been outstanding in the last year, probably the best midfielder in the Premier League. It’s always tough as a West Ham boy to leave your home club, but when teams like United come calling, it’s the next step. He’s one of those players that can do that, and then go on to Barcelona and win titles.”
Ince also referred to Rice as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the last year. Thanks to the 23-year-old's exploits, West Ham qualified for the UEFA Europa League last term, and are currently fourth in the league standings.
While the Hammers are gunning for a top-four finish this season, they face serious competition from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League could all but seal Rice's departure from West Ham.
Ince added in this regard:
“At the moment, he’s captain of West Ham, playing under a good manager in Moyes, they’re vying for the Champions League spots. If they get fourth, he might want to stay.”
Barcelona are looking for a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets
Sergio Busquets has been Barcelona's stalwart in defensive midfield for more than a decade now. While he has displayed on occasion in the last two seasons that he can deliver on the big stage, Busquets is not getting any younger. The Spaniard will turn 34 in July.
Barcelona desperately need to start planning for their future without Busquets. Frenkie de Jong has looked better in a more advanced position, which is the case with most of the Blaugrana's other young midfielders as well.
Rice could prove to be an extremely smart, long-term signing for Xavi Hernandez's side, especially given the dearth of world-class defensive midfielders in the market.
However, he has already said that he wants to remain in England in the near future. Given his young age and potential, the next club he signs for may not want to sell him too soon.
Andile1986
0
where is Sancho?
he is doing great. just needed time to adjust to the league . been brilliant of late had a good run of games in the team got himself a couple of goals and assists . brilliant against leeds. money well spent bright future .
Leodaai
0
When last did man utd win any trophy 🏆?
404 error,not found.
BSPG11
1
We don't have soup for that rice from England. Barca already produced their own Rice in Spain. Those English products don't work as expected 🤣🤣
Morry256
1
Rice playing for Barcelona, please spare us😑
Bullyoftheearth
0
Never watched him really, in England there is this culture of hype after cheating pep on jack grealish they now want to cheat Barca...... we won’t fall for that trick better go Tielamans
Bullyoftheearth
0
kessie is an attacking midfielder
He can also play DMF
puzaeikst
0
where would Barcelona get 160 million? secondly i wouldnt spend that much if i was Barcelona on rice after spending so much on cotinhio , griezman , dembele who all flopped
where is Sancho?
puzaeikst
2
What cup barcelona win next season? Barca look so weak this season
It take Liverpool football club 30years to win EPL
Jecaimpty
0
What cup barcelona win next season? Barca look so weak this season
bro tell me the trophy you people won during last season with the all best players you have
Mu18
0
haha 😄 why Rice we already have a defensive midfielder coming from Ac Milan aka Frankie Kessie on free transfer lol
kessie is an attacking midfielder
doncikmrtu
5
We already have a replacement it Nico Gonzalez
Sam565
0
some ppl hv that problem
👍
sombceikmy
0
Who?
we have de Jong,Nico and they are fundamentally strong at RCM
Ridwanibrahim
0
you need a striker and a center back and 2 fullbacks spending 160 million on one player would leave you with zero . if im Barcelona im prioritizing those positions over Rice . knowing Barcelona though who spent half a billion on 2 players cotinhio and Griezman who are both number 10 whilst they had the best number 10 in world football Messi i wouldnt be suprised
Relax my boy you don’t need to tell us we already know what we need focus on your team and don’t lose next round of CL
phemoranking
1
we already have his replacement ,we don't need rice.
Ridwanibrahim
2
What cup barcelona win next season? Barca look so weak this season
Bro look in the future bro in 1-2 season barcelona will be strong
Dixonmande
0
n u will find him join man united!!!!!
BabaYaga2312
1
you need a striker and a center back and 2 fullbacks spending 160 million on one player would leave you with zero . if im Barcelona im prioritizing those positions over Rice . knowing Barcelona though who spent half a billion on 2 players cotinhio and Griezman who are both number 10 whilst they had the best number 10 in world football Messi i wouldnt be suprised
Nah it’s a different board man Barcas main targets this summer r mazraoui Christensen azpi Kessie on a free maybe gaya/ grimaldo and a striker (maybe or maybe not halaand)
vuaipuy
0
I really like him, he is a great player, but as usual the media has overrated him, it's not his fault tho but I don't see us spending like 100 million on him
Andile1986
0
we have money but the rest of what you said is fax
you need a striker and a center back and 2 fullbacks spending 160 million on one player would leave you with zero . if im Barcelona im prioritizing those positions over Rice . knowing Barcelona though who spent half a billion on 2 players cotinhio and Griezman who are both number 10 whilst they had the best number 10 in world football Messi i wouldnt be suprised
YoungRichBerry
1
What cup barcelona win next season? Barca look so weak this season
Barca look weak this season but we ain’t going to look weak again next season 😎
Mumimnsy
0
What cup barcelona win next season? Barca look so weak this season
Katairsuz
0
We already have replacement for him
Who?
cale233
0
where would Barcelona get 160 million? secondly i wouldnt spend that much if i was Barcelona on rice after spending so much on cotinhio , griezman , dembele who all flopped
we have money but the rest of what you said is fax
assasink16
2
haha 😄 why Rice we already have a defensive midfielder coming from Ac Milan aka Frankie Kessie on free transfer lol
isn't kessie a box to box player? we need an anchorman like busi, y don't we go for rodri?
Cleverwan30
0
Barcelona don't want overrated English players who are useless outside England. Woodgate, Owen, Beckham and many other English players flopped outside England only with the exception of Owen Hargreaves and now Bellingham who only succeeded in Germany
Sancho
Bowaclnprt
2
haha 😄 why Rice we already have a defensive midfielder coming from Ac Milan aka Frankie Kessie on free transfer lol
Jeycknuz
3
We wan free agent and loane deals we dey copy bayern
BillyDedon
0
So coutinho was hype?
When you score one goal in Epl the media makes it looks as if you have won a world cup
BillyDedon
0
So coutinho was hype?
Yes Coutinho was over hype by the English media just like Grealish the price we bough him for was too much, he was an 80m player in my opinion or even less.
Nuuabcklo
0
Barcelona don't want overrated English players who are useless outside England. Woodgate, Owen, Beckham and many other English players flopped outside England only with the exception of Owen Hargreaves and now Bellingham who only succeeded in Germany
Barcelona don't need them but your club United is dying to have him
Joejust
2
Dembele and countinho are all flop at Barca
Legacyboy
0
English players should try going to other leagues and prove themselves not just playing in their league, this boy could be another Coutinho always hype by the English media.
So coutinho was hype?
chichah
0
Barcelona don't want overrated English players who are useless outside England. Woodgate, Owen, Beckham and many other English players flopped outside England only with the exception of Owen Hargreaves and now Bellingham who only succeeded in Germany
those things happens remember Sandro Ramirez at Everton ,Iago aspas at Liverpool ,joselu ,bojan , navas,negledo , Falcao , plus that guy from Barcelona that joined arsenal ( was wearing number 6)
Unitedforlife6
2
Hold up. Dafuq is up with his eyes
some ppl hv that problem
Andile1986
1
where would Barcelona get 160 million? secondly i wouldnt spend that much if i was Barcelona on rice after spending so much on cotinhio , griezman , dembele who all flopped
Jaaelptz
0
Barcelona don't want overrated English players who are useless outside England. Woodgate, Owen, Beckham and many other English players flopped outside England only with the exception of Owen Hargreaves and now Bellingham who only succeeded in Germany
don't forget mcmanaman plz
BillyDedon
0
Barcelona don't want overrated English players who are useless outside England. Woodgate, Owen, Beckham and many other English players flopped outside England only with the exception of Owen Hargreaves and now Bellingham who only succeeded in Germany
Exactly
BillyDedon
7
English players should try going to other leagues and prove themselves not just playing in their league, this boy could be another Coutinho always hype by the English media.
Sam565
0
Hold up. Dafuq is up with his eyes
auwalrogo
0
Are you sure that
When last did man utd win any trophy 🏆?
auwalrogo
5
Barcelona don't want overrated English players who are useless outside England. Woodgate, Owen, Beckham and many other English players flopped outside England only with the exception of Owen Hargreaves and now Bellingham who only succeeded in Germany
sombceikmy
6
We already have replacement for him
vioemopy
0
Are you sure that