Declan Rice has two years left on his deal at West Ham and David Sullivan says “three or four clubs have shown an interest”; he expects the offers to come imminently for the 24-year-old England midfielder; Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Man Utd are understood to be interested in Rice
WHAT HAPPENED? The England international hinted that he could extend his stay at the London Stadium after he guided the Hammers to the Europa Conference League trophy against Fiorentina in Prague. However, club chairman Sullivan has confirmed that he will be on his way out as he has already “set his heart on going”.
WHAT THEY SAID: Sullivan told talkSPORT: “We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going. You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season.
“In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.”
BIGGER PICTURE: Arsenal are the frontrunners to land Rice in the summer and have been reportedly preparing a £90m ($112m) deal which they hope will be enough to beat Manchester United to the player. Moreover, the midfielder is also pursued by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich as Thomas Tuchel happens to be an admirer of the West Ham captain. However, Rice is not keen to leave the English shores and as he is already settled in London, which further gives Arsenal an edge over United.
Rice declared his love for West Ham following Wednesday night’s victory in Prague but admitted he does not know whether he will still be at the club next season.
Moyes said last month there is a chance Rice could leave while Sky Sports understands West Ham want £120m to part ways with their captain. An offer of £100m plus a player could also be accepted.
“I’ve still got two years left,” Rice told Sky Sports News.
“There’s so much speculation – I see it all the time – but I can’t help that. That comes with playing football every day and doing what I do.
“My focus, and it has been since the World Cup, is to win this trophy and keep West Ham in the Premier League.”
He added: “I genuinely don’t know what’s happening at the minute. That is my honest answer.
“To read it myself [the speculation], it’s actually getting quite boring. Who knows what is going to happen? It’s flattering to be wanted by a lot of clubs but the badge on my chest is West Ham.
“I’ve still got two years left on my contract and ultimately it is up to the people above.”
It could be a memorable way to sign off for Rice, with speculation rife he could leave the London Stadium this summer but with the legacy of becoming only the third captain, along with Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, to lift silverware in the club’s 128-year history.
The England midfielder has a year left on his contract, and West Ham hold the option of another.
Rice told BT Sport: “It’s not a goodbye yet. Look at the moment there’s a lot of speculation about my future.
“There is interest from other clubs, that’s out there, but ultimately I’ve still got two years left at West Ham.
“There hasn’t been nothing yet [offers]. Let’s wait and see, who knows.
“I love every minute of it here, you can see the smile on my face. It’s not about that [on Wednesday night], it’s about celebrating and that’s what I’m going to do now.”
On becoming the first West Ham player to lift a major trophy for 43 years, Rice added: “Honestly, it means absolutely everything.
“The lads have been so on it. We had a real belief, I’m not just happy for us, the manager, but these fans, the staff – no one knows the work they put in. The chefs, player liaisons, I’m just as happy for myself as I am for them. I’m so, so happy.”
He added to Sky Sports News: “To win this for this club is just another level. I don’t think it’s going to hit for me for a while but what we’ve done as a group is so special.
“I’m lost for words.
“When I started at West Ham 10 years ago I never thought I’d be captain of the club and then tonight, to go on and lift the trophy it’s another level now.” READ MORE
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