Taking to Twitter, journalist Scott Saunders of 90min has now made a major West Ham United claim involving midfield star Declan Rice.
The Lowdown: Rice future up in the air?
The Irons academy product, who has grown into a crucial big name at the London Stadium, has also attracted interest from some of the Premier League’s most elite.
Man United, Man City and Chelsea are just some of the clubs who have been linked with a move for Rice in the past few months, coming after he rejected two new deal offers (The Telegraph).
West Ham are still in contention to qualify for next season’s Champions League with Moyes’ men also in a fight for Europa League glory, but according to Saunders, Rice has already made up his mind on leaving.
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The Latest: Rice ‘ready to leave’…
According to the 90min reporter, West Ham’s star man is ‘ready to leave this year’ and ‘would join United’.
It will apparently take around £120 million for the Red Devils to seal a move, despite claims of a possible £150m figure.
The Verdict: Blow for Moyes…
News of Rice making his decision comes as a blow for manager David Moyes in attempting persuade his most valuable asset to stay in east London.
Even though they have him tied down until 2024, with the option to extend it for another year (Transfermarkt), the last thing West Ham want is potential unrest and it remains to be seen whether he could force his way out of Rush Green.
In terms of quality, Rice is imperative to Moyes’ system and the way he play, with the England international averaging West Ham’s joint-most interceptions per 90 (1.7) in the Premier League this season.
He also makes the second highest amount of tackles (2.3) whilst completing a brilliant 91.3% of his passes (WhoScored).
Rice is also a brilliant carrier of the ball with Sky Sports analyst Statman Dave even calling him ‘underrated’ in that regard.
As a big summer window looms, reports centred around the England star’s future may well be a reoccurring theme.
In other news: Newman makes West Ham contact to sign ‘one of the top four’ number 8’s in Europe! Find out more here.
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