Fans of West Ham United have been reacting to the latest transfer update surrounding the Hammers’ English midfielder Declan Rice.
According to Claret and Hugh, a ‘senior Hammers insider’ has confirmed that Rice is the “last player” that the Irons would be looking to sell in the next transfer window.
This ‘senior Hammers insider’ also explained that “despite a poor season and poor cash flow” caused by the current viral outbreak, the club is not looking to “balance the books” with the sale of the 21-year-old (via @WHUFCFZ).
The denial over any interest in selling Rice emerged after reports featured in both the Sun and the Telegraph which stated that David Moyes will struggle to retain the Englishman.
The Sun’s report states that Rice is ‘up for grabs’ as their ‘club insiders’ say that ‘nobody is safe’ from being sold as Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal circle for the middleman.
Then, the report in the Telegraph followed similar lines but explained that the Irons may be ‘forced’ into selling Rice due to the financial implications of the current viral outbreak.
However, after the report which looked to pour cold water on any rumours was shared to West Ham supporters on social media (via @WHUFCFZ), fans aired their reactions.
The West Ham owners have moved to reassure fans that Declan Rice is 'the last person they would consider selling’.
(via @ClaretandH) pic.twitter.com/8BETMBk9YD
— West Ham Fan Zone (@WHUFCFZ) May 28, 2020
He will be leaving.
— Sid Broughton (@topdraw1967) May 28, 2020
That means he’ll be sold in the summer
— ollie johnson (@olliejono) May 28, 2020
So far this season, Rice has been the fourth-best performer for West Ham in the Premier League with a solid 6.95/10 average rating (per WhoScored).
The impressive rating is likely the reason why many fans felt he will be leaving the club.
Which means someone has offered and will go before Xmas.
— Paul warner (@Brooklands280) May 28, 2020
Feel really assured with all that truth they’ve told us in the past pic.twitter.com/EyuWdm4sFn
— BN Irons (@BN123457) May 28, 2020
Will Declan Rice still be a West Ham player at the beginning of next season?Yes, anything is possible
No, he'll be leaving us
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When looking further into Rice’s stats this season, aside from his strong average rating, his value to the Hammers becomes clear (per WhoScored).
In the Irons’ squad, Rice has recorded the joint-second-most tackles per league game on average (3.0), the most interceptions per game (2.1) and also the most completed passes per outing (45) (per WhoScored).
Fans, however, did not rate their chances of keeping hold of the 21-year-old highly.
Well they lie…….. so that means he is the first one out. Anyway like I keep saying all this transfer talk is a bit soon as we could still go down
— Peter goulding ? (@Goulding1Peter) May 28, 2020
Well they have never lied before ??
— Terry, ex chicken run boy???? (@Terry14349724) May 28, 2020
While the majority believed that the midfielder would be leaving the London Stadium soon, one supporter was remaining optimistic.
— #GSBOUT (@CostiaAHN) May 28, 2020
As can be seen in the responses from West Ham fans, though, the vast majority of the London Stadium faithful do not believe there is any chance of keeping the Englishman around for much longer.