Speaking on TalkSport, Darren Gough has hailed West Ham’s Declan Rice but has warned their fans of potentially losing the midfielder if the right bid comes in for him this summer.
The 22-year-old has played a huge role in the Hammers’ season having played every minute in the Premier League for David Moyes’ side (via Transfermarkt).
Rice has been linked with interest from Chelsea earlier in the season and in recent weeks it has been reported Manchester United are showing interest in the midfielder ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
Speaking about the 22-year-old’s season so far, Gough added a warning to the West Ham fans regarding Rice’s future.
He said: “Well, I don’t think he has to go now. I mean, West Ham are having a fantastic season. But yeah, I would say that there is those ongoing talks with him, his family, his agent, the club.
“There’s quite a lot going on isn’t there and it could happen at any time if the right bid comes in. I’m sure it will frustrate and annoy West Ham fans but I think they’re realistic enough to know, but if the right bid comes in they will sell him.”
Should West Ham cash in on Rice this summer?
Yes
No
The 22-year-old will return to West Ham this week after England wrap up their international break in which Rice played the full 90 minutes of their 2-0 win against Albania on Sunday.
Transfermarkt has the midfielder valued at £54m which would be West Ham’s most expensive departure in the club’s history with Dimitri Payet currently holding the record at around £25m.
TIF Thoughts on Gough’s comments…
According to reports, interest from Chelsea in Rice has cooled since the club parted ways with Frank Lampard in January. Gough believes Rice should be in no rush to leave West Ham given their terrific 2020/21 Premier League campaign so far, however, he is aware that if the Hammers do receive a huge bid for him they may find it difficult to turn it down – especially given the current financial issues affecting football clubs during the pandemic.
As Gough says, the thought of Rice potentially leaving the club may frustrate the fans, however, many will understand the thinking behind his departure if a huge bid was to come in for him and to be accepted by the club.
In other news: ‘The club do want’ – Ex drops promising Declan Rice claim at West Ham