Two best mates are both poised for summer moves and they both happen to be pretty decent footballers. Declan Rice and Mason Mount may be unlikely to end up as teammates at club level as well as international, but their respective futures at West Ham United and Chelsea do appear to be on extremely borrowed time.
Their respective exits, should they materialise as expected, will be in very different circumstances though. Rice would hang his Hammers boots up adored, idolised and forever remembered - on the back of a European journey and success beyond West Ham's wildest dreams. A night in Prague that won't ever be forgotten, as Rice bows out and takes a step up the ladder - surely boosting the club he loves with an enormous transfer fee.
Arsenal are reportedly leading the race for his services, in a deal which would cost the Gunners £90million. West Ham's number 41 is said to be Mikel Arteta's 'top target' as they look to pip Bayern Munich, Newcastle and Manchester United to his signature. Hammers chairman, David Sullivan, confirmed this week that the club won't stand in Rice's way and that he anticipates a speedy sale.
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As for Mount, a swift stride out of Stamford Bridge seems to be getting closer by the day - for a player who has failed to negotiate fresh terms with the Blues and will reportedly have no issue agreeing them at Old Trafford. Chelsea's valuation could prove a stumbling block for Erik ten Hag's side, but United should back themselves to get the deal over the line if they really want it.
Just like with Harry Kane, there will be clamour for United to target Rice. That is always going to be the case for England's biggest club and the country's best players. And yet, despite the outstanding talent of Rice and the many traits he has to offer, it is worth taking a step back and considering why Ten Hag perhaps has his eyes set more firmly on Mount.
United already have a destroyer and facilitator in Casemiro and progressive, creative spark in Bruno Fernandes ahead of him. Ten Hag's task this summer will be to complete that trio in the best way possible - a void which could have Mount's name right on it. With big characters and all-action figures in Casemiro and Fernandes, a mobile, workhorse figure like Mount - who operates more silently, but still effectively - may just slot right in, while boosting United's athleticism in an area of the pitch which demands it most.
A Manchester Evening News special souvenir edition - Fergie's First - charts United's 1992/93 title-winning campaign and you can get your hands on one here
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