Declan Rice: Every summer transfer window will have a saga for sure. This summer, it could well be around Declan Rice. The English midfielder has been impressing for a couple of years now and has been a huge boost in West Ham’s midfield. After winning the Europa Conference League, it seems as though Rice is looking to move on from West Ham. The Hammers are said to be eyeing a Premier League record fee for any club that might be interested. Follow Premier League Transfers LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN
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After West Ham’s owner David Sullivan finally said their captain may depart, the club will launch a £110 million bidding war for Declan Rice. In excess of the £106 million Chelsea spent on Argentine World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, the Hammers will expect a Premier League record amount.
On Wednesday, Rice, 24, helped the Irons win their first significant European prize since 1965. As their heroes rode in an open-top bus triumph parade, more than 70,000 supporters lined the streets of East London to cheer them on.
In the upcoming days, Arsenal is anticipated to make a bid for England midfielder Rice, and Bayern Munich and both Manchester teams may soon follow.
David Sullivan’s words on Declan Rice
When asked if Rice had played his last game for West Ham, Sullivan said, ‘It has to be. 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.’
He continued, ‘It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago. He turned it down. It’s cost him £10m to stay at West Ham in that time [in lost wages]. He wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.’
On whether any bids had already been made, Sullivan told talkSPORT, ‘No. But I think the offers will start to come. There are three or four clubs who have shown interest but out of respect to West Ham, while we’re still playing, you don’t make offers for players.’
Declan Rice’s words
Thanks to Jarrod Bowen’s last-second goal in the Europa Conference League winner to beat Fiorentina 2-1., Rice lifted a significant European Cup, emulating the famous captain Bobby Moore.
Rice uploaded a picture of himself holding the trophy in his hotel bed in Prague to Instagram yesterday with the message, “Good morning.” His current contract has a year left on it, and West Ham has the option of extending it till 2025.
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Rice has repeatedly stated his wish to participate in the Champions League and contend for significant awards. After the historic victory on Wednesday, Rice would not say whether or not this would be his final game.
Declan said, ‘It’s flattering to be wanted but the badge on my chest is West Ham and ultimately it’s up to the people above.’ The future of manager David Moyes is also in doubt, but he is now anticipated to remain at the London Stadium to oversee the hiring process for Rice’s replacement.
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