Simon Jordan has accused the West Ham United owners of “playing to the gallery” after details of a new contract offered to Declan Rice emerged.
Rice is easily the Premier League outfit’s biggest asset, but there has been speculation in regards to his future after he turned down a new contract to stay at the London Stadium beyond the end of his current deal. Now, according to talkSPORT, he has been offered an eight-year contract that would see him earn £200,000 a week.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Jordan was less than impressed by the news. He said, “What a load of rubbish. Who’s going to sign a player in the pomp of his career, with a market that is reportedly bounding towards signing him. Who’s going to sign an eight-year deal with West Ham? Why would you do it at £200,000 a week, when you’ve just the Haaland numbers?
“They’re playing to the gallery, that’s what (David) Gold and (David) Sullivan do. That’s their game, that’s modus operandi.”
TIF Thoughts on Rice
It does seem to be an outlandish offer at best. Rice is 23, has played for England in a European Championship final and has had his first taste of continental club football this term. As much as he may enjoy himself with the Irons, he looks destined to move on to a bigger club at some point.
Will Rice extend his West Ham contract?
Yes
No
He will have two years left on his contract at the end of the season, with the club possessing an option for a third. It is admirable that they do not want to lose him, but do they really want to see him leave on a free transfer when they were previously looking for a fee of £150m? Ultimately, they should think about listening to offers and get as much money as possible, especially given the midfielder himself has given no indication he wants to stay in East London.