West Ham’s lack of ambition in the January transfer window could help Manchester City land Declan Rice in the summer, according to the Daily Telegraph‘s Matt Law.

The journalist, who is usually reliable when it comes to transfer stories, claims that Pep Guardiola’s side, along with Chelsea and Manchester United, now firmly believe that Rice will be available at the end of the season:

West Ham’s January inactivity has increased the chance of big summer bids for Declan Rice. Hammers may have missed their best chance to keep him past this season #whufc #cfc #mcfc #mufc https://t.co/UAD5HEhcbE

— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) February 1, 2022

Rice is believed to be very ambitious. If the Hammers’ failure to strengthen leads to them falling short in the battle to qualify for the Champions League, it seems he will consider leaving the London Stadium.

Of course, wanting to leave and getting a transfer are two very different things. West Ham are likely to demand in excess of £100m for Rice; a figure that City are unlikely to be interested in matching.

Whether they will try their luck with a lower offer, we shall have to wait and see, but it appears as though Rice would be very open to a potential move.