Declan Rice told to consider Real Madrid as Gabby Agbonlahor insists West Ham star can’t wait for Manchester United to ‘get their act together’

Gabby Agbonlahor has questioned why Declan Rice would want to join Manchester United and insists Real Madrid would be more tempting for the in-demand midfielder.

Rice is expected to spark a bidding war this summer after another exceptional season at the heart of the Hammers’ midfield.

The Daily Mail reports that a £150million price tag has been slapped on the England international’s head, which would represent a British transfer record.

United and Rice’s boyhood club Chelsea are thought to be interested, but the Red Devils may bid for the 23-year-old unopposed after sanctions were placed on Blues owner Roman Abramovich.

With Old Trafford currently the only feasible Premier League destination for Rice, Agbonlahor has suggested the West Ham star should look abroad.

The Aston Villa legend told talkSPORT Breakfast: “I look at Man City, they’ve got Rodri. I know Fernandinho might be leaving, but Rodri plays a lot of their games and suits the way they play. So maybe that’s not an option.

“I look at Chelsea, they can’t buy new players right now. Liverpool have got Fabinho and [Jordan] Henderson.

“Man United are probably the only club he would probably want to go to. But he wants to win trophies and play in the Champions League.

“He might even be looking at somewhere else in Europe.

“If I’m Rice, I’m not ruling out somewhere in Europe, I’m not ruling out Real Madrid.

“If you look at Toni Kroos, he’s getting on a bit, Luka Modric is still doing it but he’s getting on a bit.

“He’d rather go to Real Madrid than Man United. The players don’t look happy there [at Old Trafford] and Rice is a happy player, he looks like he’s enjoying his football at West Ham.

“Does he want to go somewhere with such negative vibes?”

Rice has emerged as England’s first-choice midfielder and looks set to play a starring role at the Qatar World Cup this winter.

And Agbonlahor suggests Rice’s desire to reach the next level of his career may increase when he hears his Three Lions teammates talk about Champions League football during the international break.

He added: “Imagine now, he’s going away with England and all the players are talking about the Champions League in a couple of weeks.

“As a player, knowing how good he is, he’s world class in his position, he will want to play Champions League next season, not wait for Man United to get their act together.”

With the Red Devils currently struggling to make the top four and a fifth season without any silverware confirmed, Rangers legend Ally McCoist also questions why Rice would join United.

West Ham are only two points adrift of Ralf Rangnick’s side and could yet secure Champions League qualification by winning the Europa League, having seen off Sevilla to reach the quarter-finals.

McCoist added: “I don’t really see what’s in it for Rice to go to Manchester United right now.”