According to a report from the Daily Mail, Declan Rice rejected moves to Southampton and Fulham before linking up with West Ham in 2014.
The 20-year-old burst onto the scene at the London Stadium last season, and he is now considered to be one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League.
He is also now a regular member of Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Rice’s fine form for West Ham over the past 12 months has not gone unnoticed, however.
The Irish Independent claimed that Manchester United wanted to sign the Hammers youngster, and were prepared to pay at least £50 million in order to acquire his services.
Rice is contracted with West Ham until the summer of 2024, however, so West Ham are in a very strong position, and they hold all of the cards.
The Daily Mail claims that things could have been so different for the midfielder, however.
He was allegedly a target for Southampton and Fulham, but rejected both clubs’ advances in favour of joining the Hammers.
And what a signing he has proven to be for the east London outfit.
Considering the fact that Rice cost nothing, it could be argued that he is one of the signings of the decade.
And West Ham fans will be delighted that he chose to move to east London in 2014.
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