OPINION
West Ham fans should fume over the contract offer that defender Declan Rice is reportedly set to receive, as it shows the board haven’t learnt their lesson.
Hammers news website Claret & Hugh reported on Monday that Rice was set to be offered a new contract to keep him at the club until 2023.
Claret & Hugh’s source claimed that the teenager’s new deal could potentially see him earn £40,000-a-week if he successfully triggers appearances clauses.
Rice, 19, is currently on a contract that sees him earn £2,500-a-week before clauses and this reported contract offer would be a ridiculously huge pay rise for the centre-back.
While the Hammers starlet has been impressive in the 25 appearances he has made this season and deserves a new deal, he doesn’t need a contract that mouthwatering.
The club clearly should want to keep Rice at the London Stadium, but throwing crazy money at him when he only has one good season of senior football under his belt is mind-blogging.
Claret & Hugh’s report states that their source has informed them that money isn’t even the teenager’s motivation.
The source goes on to say that Rice along with loving the Hammers, is just interested in playing regular football at the highest level and his happiness depends solely on his first-team opportunities.
The 19-year-old centre-back deserves a respectable deal but it just seems like the Hammers are just so used to wasting money, they’re pouring it in to contract negotiations with Rice.
Hammers supporters memorably protested the board during the 3-0 defeat to Burnley in March and one of their main points of contention was the way money was spent by the club.
Karren Brady, vice-chairman of the Hammers, wrote in her column for The Sun after the protests to defend club’s spending, by stating that at least it have been invested.
“Spending on transfers and wages has doubled over past five years, a club-record £80m was spent on players in 2016/17,” wrote Brady.
“Our wage bill of £105,000,000 compares with top flight Premier League clubs.
“Some may argue that the money has not been invested well enough, but it has been invested.”
However the reported contract offer for Rice, shows the club hasn’t learn their lesson.
Supporters don’t care how much is invested as long as it’s invested well, and offering a teen talent, who just wants to play football at the club, a contract that could potentially be worth £40,000-a-week isn’t spending money wisely.
Therefore Hammers fans should be furious with the club once again as the report on Rice’s contract offer shows nothing has changed.