Speaking recently on the Ask Ornstein YouTube show, David Ornstein discussed several rumours of the summer transfer window, and, in particular, the links between West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice and Premier League rivals Chelsea.
In the three years since Rice made his West Ham debut as an 18-year-old, he has enjoyed quite a remarkable rise, featuring 110 times for the Hammers, scoring three goals and providing four assists along the way, as well as earning nine caps for England and seeing his value rocket to £44.55 million.
Last season, the 21-year-old featured in all 38 of West Ham’s Premier League fixtures, scoring one goal and providing three assists, averaging an impressive WhoScored match rating of 7.01/10.
It would seem his performances caught the eye of Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard, who has been reported to be keen on the idea of bringing Rice back to the club he was released from at youth level.
However, Ornstein appears to be of the belief that Rice will not be leaving West Ham in the current transfer window, with the journalist’s sources confirming the West Ham hierarchy’s stance that Rice is “not for sale under any circumstances”.
He said: “In essence, the view of the West Ham hierarchy, as I understand it, is that Rice is not for sale under any circumstances.
“Others I’ve spoken to, who are very close to West Ham, say that their stance is true – that he will not be leaving, that it’s unthinkable in this transfer window, especially after the uproar from West Ham fans, and many throughout the game, that West Ham decided to sell their homegrown product, Grady Diangana, to West Brom – [fans felt] it showed that they needed money and they would cash in on Declan Rice at the right price.
“It’s just my knowledge, and I’m not saying it’s going to be the case, but I just don’t see that happening.”
Do you think Rice will still be a West Ham player by the end of the season?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts…
From Ornstein’s comments, it would certainly appear as if the journalist is of the belief that West Ham will not be selling Rice in the current transfer window, under any circumstances.
However, he does mention that this could be because of the outrage at the sale of Diangana, which, once this becomes less present in the mind of West Ham fans, or indeed, players, could leave the door open to Rice being sold in the future.
Regardless of this, for now, the news that Rice will be a West Ham player for the foreseeable future must be music to your ears if you are a fan of the club.