The English tax doesn’t exist. The tax is on premier league clubs signing other premier league players.
Economically, our Premiership teams do not need to sell tickets to break even. Whereas Ligue 1, La Liga and Serie A have teams that need to sell players to break even.
That’s why Everton can demand £60m for Richarlison or Southampton could demand £80m for Van Dijk before it was obvious he was world class. Neither of these players would’ve demanded such fees had they played for middle to lower ranked teams in other European leagues.
He’s hardly shite is he? Not a glamour player no but blimey, promoted with Leeds and stayed up, England fixture to euros final and now fancied by Pep. Jordan Henderson was never a fashionable signing but has been vital for Liverpool.
Agree Rice is the better player though, doubt many, if any, would think otherwise. Probably cost three times as much and expect to play every game.