David Moyes has told Manchester United and other Declan Rice suitors they have missed their opportunity to sign the West Ham talisman 'cheap'.
During an eye-catching summer transfer window, key figures in the Old Trafford boardroom sanctioned swoops for Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, they were unable to get a deal for a top-level defensive midfielder over the line.
Manchester Evening News understands that has, instead, been identified as a priority for next season and that Rice is still target number one in that regard.
Amadou Haidara, Boubacar Kamara and Ruben Neves from Wolves are viewed as potential alternatives.
Rice is under contract at West Ham until 2024 and, should United or Chelsea come calling for his services, it would take a 'humongous' fee for the Hammers to accept those advances after the former United manager Moyes placed a tentative £100million price tag on the England man last summer.
Speaking during his latest press conference, Moyes said: "You will need humongous money to get close.
"I said in the summer that I thought Declan Rice was £100m. That was your chance to get him cheap. You can make your mind up over what I'm talking about now.
Who should United sign next summer? Have your say in the comments section below.
"I feel his commitment. He's under contract and we're really pleased to have him. He's here for certainly a few years.
"He's like a special edition, Declan Rice. There's not many like him.
"He's arguably playing as well as any midfielder in Europe and the prices were expensive in January weren't they?"
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
