Former West Ham assistant manager Stuart Pearce has said there is ‘no chance’ Declan Rice leaves the club this summer.
The 23-year-old ace has been constantly linked with a London Stadium exit although talk of a move elsewhere does seem to have died down for now.
Manchester United and Manchester City were thought to be plotting a move for the Englishman but with City signing Kalvin Phillips and United hoping to bring in Frenkie De Jong, interest does seem to have cooled.
It was also previously reported that Rice himself would prefer a transfer to his boyhood club, Chelsea, if any but Pearce is insistent that he will be going nowhere for now.
Speaking on TalkSport, David Moyes’ former No 2 revealed that the manager is planning his squad with his star man well and truly in mind.
When asked by presenter Natalie Sawyer whether Rice could leave this summer, he said:
“No, no chance. If you’re talking [Kalvin] Phillips going at £45m, you’re talking Sterling going at £45m, what are West Ham going to do with £45-50m?
“Absolute waste of time. Dave’s been adamant, the board have been adamant at West Ham that Declan’s going nowhere and Dave’s going to build a team around him. He’s so crucial.
“Not a chance he’s leaving.”
TIF Thoughts on Rice and West Ham…
Is Declan Rice worth £150 million?Yes!
No!
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The Hammers’ attempts to tie the £62k-per-week star down to a new deal have so far been turned down.
The most recent proposal would have saw the 32-cap England ace commit the next eight years of his career to the east Londoners but with the option of extending the 2021/22 Hammer of the Year’s current contract for a further year until 2025, the officials at Rush Green certainly hold the cards one way or the other.
Moyes has placed a £150m price tag on his most valuable asset’s ahead and it is unlikely that any club will meet that asking price at present.
Having previously told ESPN that he as an “urgent” desire to play Champions League football “as soon as possible” Rice must be delighted with the arrivals at the club so far this summer and Irons fans will hope to see it continuing as it could be the difference in breaking into that top four and holding onto or losing their most influential player.