West Ham United are set to listen to offers for Declan Rice next summer, according to reports in the last 48 hours.
The Lowdown: Uncertain future
The 23-year-old’s contract at the London Stadium is set to expire in 2024, with the Irons keen to secure his long-term services.
Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United had been credited with an interest in the midfielder, though it was confirmed that he would remain in the capital for at least the 2022/23 season.
GSB attempted to offer the maestro multiple sets of fresh terms to fend off attention, but they were all rejected, leaving his future beyond the end of the campaign uncertain.
The Latest: West Ham open to Rice offers
According to West Ham insider Claret and Hugh, Rice’s status is more ‘under question now than at any time in the last two years’.
It’s stated that the Irons are ‘ready to entertain offers’ next summer after holding a meeting with his representative Sean Rice, who turned down a £200k-per-week deal.
The report continues that a decision regarding his future ‘would be made’ in 2023, with the club ‘hoping’ to receive a bid in the region of £100m, though it yet ‘remains to be seen’ whether new Chelsea boss Graham Potter views him as a ‘player he needs’.
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The Verdict: Time to cash in
There’s no denying that Rice is an integral member of David Moyes’ starting XI, but if he’s been consistently refusing to commit, that surely says it all about his long-term position.
The England international will be wanting to compete at the highest level possible, and with the Hammers currently sitting in relegation after a poor start to the new season, this will only make his desire for a Champions League regular grow stronger.
£100m is a huge sum of money, and if the Irons were to receive it from a potential suitor, it would be a great opportunity to cash in and generate transfer funds to invest in a couple of new players for the squad to rebuild the team in years to come.