OPINION
Every West Ham fan knows that midfielder Declan Rice is a key member of their team and that the 20-year-old is only set to get even more important as he continues to improve.
The Hammers midfield enforcer has been in sensational form this season as there’s hardly been an appearance where he hasn’t impressed across his 31 outings.
Given that Rice is continuing to wow, he’s young and the fact he just been called up for England; then the entire Hammers fanbase are no doubt braced for others clubs to try and pinch the player’s services.
While the 20-year-old is contracted to the Hammers until 2024, that won’t put off others clubs throwing money at Manuel Pellegrini’s side in order to get him.
Hammers favourite Stuart Pearce was asked what the club’s chances were of holding onto Rice and he wasn’t exactly positive.
“That’s a difficult one mate cause listen if you’re saying to me, will there be money put down for him over the next year or so, probably, whether West Ham can turn around and say y’know what he came through our academy system, we’ve had a fella called Mark Noble who has done exactly the same journey as him and we want him to stay as long as Mark Noble I can quite understand that as well,” said Pearce on talkSPORT (Wednesday March 13th, 17:14).
“But money talks in the game and I don’t think there is any player in world football that you can say is bid-proof if a bid came in from somewhere.”
While Pearce highlights that the Hammers can just turn around and reject any offer that is submitted, it’s the two-word phrase “money talks” that will have the West Ham fanbase worrying.
The Hammers may have spent like no tomorrow in the summer but there are several clubs out there who are capable of tabling a bid the club would just feel forced to accept when it comes to Rice.
Also over the years the club have parted with their best players time and time again which Hammers fans are very aware of; and while Rice does seem happy at the London Stadium, would it be the biggest surprise if the club cashed-in on him?
With this in mind, Pearce has managed to fuel the fear that every West Ham fan likely harbours on some level surrounding Rice by his choice of two words.