Manchester United will make a move to sign Declan Rice from West Ham in the summer as part of a big-money midfield overhaul, according to reports.

But the Red Devils will have to splash some serious cash to land the England star after his latest heroics for the Hammers.

Declan Rice has been widely linked with a move away from West Ham in the summer

With the likes of Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba out of contract in the summer, strengthening in the middle of the park is said to be United's priority.

Reports from ESPN claim Old Trafford's recruitment team are working on a shortlist of targets, with Rice, Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips and Amadou Haidara at RB Leipzig high on the list.

It is suggested the club's next full-term manager, who United are looking to have in place to take over from interim Ralf Rangnick in the summer, will have some input into their targets.

But Rice is widely reported to be one of their key targets in the next transfer window, with the midfielder strongly linked with a move away from the London Stadium.

It will cost United big if they chase the Hammers star, though, with West Ham quoting suitors more than £100million for the Three Lions ace.

But, deciding not to spend in January means they have funds in reserve and Man United will surely be one of the teams with the best chance of landing him.

Pogba's future at Man United is uncertain with his contract up in the summer

A host of talkSPORT pundits have tipped Rice to depart West Ham in the summer if the club fails to finish in the top-four.

The east London side currently sit in fifth place and only one point outside the Champions League places, but their own lack of January deals has placed major doubts over their chances of qualifying for Europe's premier competition.

Rice has already admitted his love for Old Trafford, saying in a recent interview: "It's an amazing stadium. I've always said Old Trafford is one of my favourite places to play."

He has even been tipped as a future Manchester United captain by a former Red Devil, with Paul Parker saying about the midfielder: "If you bring in Declan Rice, within 12 months he's your captain, without a shadow of a doubt."

But United have been warned they may have to fork out even more cash for the ex-Chelsea academy graduate this summer after his latest heroic performance for West Ham.

Rice came off the bench to drag his team across the line in their FA Cup fourth round victory over Kidderminster Harriers, scoring in second-half injury-time to force extra-time against the lowest ranked team in the competition, before Jarrod Bowen scored a late winner.

On commentary for talkSPORT, Hammers legend Alvin Martin suggested the goal once again showed how important Rice is for his side – and it may well add to his summer price tag.

Martin said: "What a goal. It might have been a substandard performance by West Ham, but that was a moment of class from Declan Rice.

"He took the game by scruff of the neck, a quality goal by a quality player when it was needed most. It wasn't even a chance, it was made by Rice. There was nothing on when he picked the ball up.

"West Ham have had to rely on an individual. West Ham were in desperate trouble, but he saved them.

"It will add a few more millions to his price tag, that's for sure."