Newcastle are interested in signing West Ham captain Declan Rice, according to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook.

The Magpies are said to be contemplating a bid for the England international, who is valued at £100m by his club:

BREAKING: Newcastle will target Declan Rice should they choose to spend big in the summer | @alex_crook #WHUFC #NUFChttps://t.co/lYWHXGJ2dR

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) April 17, 2023

Securing the services of Rice for what could be a club record fee would be a statement of intent by Eddies Howe’s team, but there are major obstacles in the way of it going ahead.

It is believed that Arsenal are the favourites to land Rice at the moment, having progressed negotiations the furthest. Chelsea also have a longstanding interest in the midfielder.

However, West Ham’s asking price could well hand Newcastle an advantage. It has been claimed by multiple sources that Arsenal won’t go near the reported £100m valuation. Chelsea, meanwhile, have well-documented issues with FFP.

There is, therefore, a possibility that the Magpies could blow their rivals out of the water with a nine-figure bid for Rice that others could not hope to match.