Transfer Talk: Hammers make Milinkovic-Savic top Rice replacement

West Ham will try to land Lazio talisman Sergej Milinkovic-Savic should Declan Rice leave East London this summer.

Hammers captain Rice continues to be linked to a string of European giants, with his current club’s poor campaign only seeing interest in his services intensify.

A regular in England’s midfield, the 24-year-old reportedly wishes to test himself in the Champions League and David Moyes is now resigned to losing his Surrey-born star at the end of the season. 

According to The Sun, Milinkovic-Savic is being lined up as his replacement — with Moyes sending his trusted technical advisor Alan Irvine across to Italy to scout the Serbian international last week.

Milinkovic-Savic, 27, has been linked with a Premier League switch on numerous occasions in recent years, having racked up 324 appearances for the Biancocelesti since 2015.

With just one season left on his current deal in Rome, the Hammers are hopeful that the offer of a sizeable fee would put them in pole position for his signature.

However, the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United are long-term admirers and could easily enter the race should his availability be confirmed. 

A versatile operator who can play in a holding or creative midfield role, Milinkovic-Savic has racked up six goals and eight assists in 30 appearances across all competitions this term.

In other news

The Daily Star say Manchester United will demand a minimum of £120million from any club hoping to sign Marcus Rashford this summer.

Football Insider report Newcastle will make a move for Fulham full-back Antonee Robinson, 25, their top priority amid interest from Manchester City.

The Citizens are already looking to tie striker Julian Alvarez down to a new contract according to The Mirror, with the 23-year-old World Cup winner having made an impressive start to life in Manchester.