Pundit can’t believe Newcastle United could sign Declan Rice after insider source’s update
Noel Whelan has suggested Declan Rice should snub Newcastle United in favour of a move to Liverpool or Man City next summer.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Magpies are “three years away” from being able to consistently challenge for honours like the Premier League’s top two clubs.
Sources told Football Insider last week (23 November) that West Ham now expect to lose Rice to a Champions League giant next year regardless of how their season pans out.
Meanwhile, Irons insiders Claret and Hugh (17 November) claim the midfielder is a target for Newcastle – who want to make the England international the “cornerstone” of their project.
Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea are among the other Premier League teams keeping close tabs on Rice – who has rejected multiple offers to extend his West Ham contract, which expires in 2024.
Newcastle currently sit third in the top flight after losing just one of their opening 15 games.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Newcastle are now a very exciting club.
“They’ve got the money behind them, they’ve got a good manager, the progression has been even quicker than expected.
“Look, if you’re in the Champions League then that means you can go out and attract these top players.
“But I don’t think it will be about the money for Rice. It’ll come down to – can he win things?
“I think he’ll be looking more to the Man City’s or the Liverpool’s, who have shown they can win trophies year after year.
“Newcastle are doing well, but they’d have to spend really big to get to that level right now.
“I think his next move has to be one where he can start winning trophies right away. For me, Newcastle are three years off from that level.”
In other news, Football Insider updates Newcastle United open talks on record-breaking deal.