Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has insisted that West Ham United will not be selling Declan Rice “on the cheap”.
The 23-year-old was persistently linked with a move away from the London Stadium this summer
Premier League rivals Manchester United and Manchester City were both thought to be plotting a swoop. Meanwhile, it was previously reported that Rice himself would prefer a transfer to his boyhood club, Chelsea.
Rice is under contract at the London Stadium until 2024 with the option of a further 12 months, meaning the Irons hold all the cards regarding negotiations at present.
Now, Sheth has told GiveMeSport that the east Londoners won’t give up on the man dubbed a ‘generational talent‘ by The Athletic journalist Roshane Thomas.
Sheth said: “West Ham United, make no mistake about it, they know the value of Declan Rice. They will not be selling him on the cheap.
“There’s all this talk about that it’s a done deal to Chelsea, he’s going to reunite with his best friend Mason Mount. All of that stuff, that’s been going on for years and years and years, and yet he’s still remained at West Ham United.”
TIF Thoughts on Sheth’s comments…
Will Rice leave West Ham next summer?
Yes!
No!
David Moyes has declared that it would take at least £150m for the club to consider selling their most prized asset.
Despite the club’s indifferent start to the season, Rice is ranking as the Hammers’ top performer this season with a 7.06 average match rating (as per WhoScored).
He is also first among his teammates for interceptions per game and pass completion in the Premier League and looks set to play a key role for England at the World Cup.
However, the 34-cap international told ESPN earlier this year that he had an “urgent” desire to play Champions League football “as soon as possible”, which would suggest that his time at Rush Green may well be coming to an end before too long.