Manchester United have been linked with a move for West Ham's Declan Rice ahead of the upcoming transfer window, with the English giants expected to use Jesse Lingard as a makeweight in any potential move.

The 22-year-old has excelled for the Hammers this season, starting 30 Premier League games for the capital club, achieving an impressive 7.01 WhoScored rating.

Rice's impressive performances have caught the eye of several of the countries top teams, and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's side are the latest club to be linked with the England international.

According to The Athletic's West Ham reporter Roshane Thomas, the Red Devils are set to use Lingard in order to acquire one of their main transfer targets this summer, and Rice is high up on their wishlist.

Lingard has impressed since arriving at the London Stadium on loan in January, bagging nine goals and providing four assists in 14 Premier League appearances for the capital club.

The 28-year-old's impressive form for the Hammers has seen his market value rise and become a more attractive option for any interested party, and therefore, a potentially useful asset for the Old Trafford outfit to have going into the transfer window.

Thomas claims it's not just David Moyes' men who are interested in signing Lingard over the coming months, though, and that the 20-time English champions could use their academy graduate for other targets besides Rice.

"Clubs have already started to form a disorderly queue to secure his signature, and there is a feeling at West Ham that should Manchester United decide to sell Lingard this summer, they are likely to try to use him as a makeweight in a deal for a player they would like to bring to Old Trafford."

Previous reports from The Athletic have linked Manchester United with attempting to pull off a swap move involving the two midfielders, claiming the possibility was "expected to be explored."

The base of United's midfield has been an area of weakness for some time now, and if the club's hierarchy seriously wants to reign in their local rivals at the top of the Premier League table, then they must sanction a move for Rice.

If United can use Lingard as a makeweight in a deal to get Rice, the club's fans will surely be buzzing to get such a quality player into the club as they'll be desperate to see their team challenging for top honours next season.

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