In what seems to be two of the most drawn out transfer sagas in a long time, two players may be about to finally secure their ideal moves in opposite directions.
With the summer transfer window edging closer to being slammed shut, it is thought that Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is considering including Jesse Lingard as part of a cash-plus-player deal which would bring Declan Rice to Old Trafford.
After seemingly growing into an outcast at Manchester United, Lingard's exceptional loan spell at West Ham - one of the most successful in Premier League history - has seen him liked with a permanent move to East London.
Rice, who has also courted interest from Chelsea where he was part of their academy set-up, is high on Solskjaer's priority list.
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Any deal for the pair to switch over would have to include a substantial fee from Manchester United with the England defensive midfielder, 22, having more net value.
The solution that would see a trade being part of any deal comes from the fact that West Ham, managed by former Red Devils manager David Moyes, are unable to meet United's valuation of Lingard, 28, who forced himself back into the England squad before just missing out on selection for the European Championships in the summer.
It is understood that Rice has his heart set on Champions League football sooner rather than later and that the player may feel he has justified a move having helped West Ham secure Europa League football this season.
Rice, who was a major part of England's run to the Euros final, would add a more dynamic approach to Manchester United's midfield with the club having made two significant signings in defence and attack in Raphael Varane and Rice's England teammate Jadon Sancho.
Topics: Declan Rice, Jesse Lingard, Manchester United, Jadon Sancho, West Ham United, England