West Ham boss David Moyes revealed that there is a good chance that Declan Rice leaves the club in the summer. Hammers captain Rice has ambitions to play for a Champions League club but has a price tag in excess of £100m. Nevertheless, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United are all understood to be interested in the 24-year-old England midfielder. Moyes has been unable to formulate plans for next season while West Ham’s Premier League status remains unclear, although last week’s win over Manchester United has left them all safe.
“Sincerely, we hope he does. Although we would dearly want for him to play for West Ham, we are conscious that may not be the case come the conclusion of the year. So, that is one of the planning-related scenarios. There are plans for Dec to be here, but we fully understand there is a strong chance he won’t,” West Ham boss David Moyes said about Declan Rice. “The preparations have been postponed. The primary focus has always been on becoming a Premier League team. If you weren’t, your planning will fail totally. Many of them won’t begin to fall into place until we realize we’ve maintained our Premier League spot. The truth is that the focus has been on remaining in the Premier League despite the fact that we are monitoring many players, many games, and conducting extensive reconnaissance.”
Following a 2-1 victory against AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of the Europa Conference League semifinal on Thursday night, West Ham travels to Brentford on Sunday. With the second leg of the match in the Netherlands in mind, Moyes is likely to make adjustments. Rice, Jarrod Bowen, and Michail Antonio, who had a limp following the AZ encounter, are all anticipated to be rested.
If a Champions League team makes a £120 million bid, West Ham will let Declan Rice depart this summer. West Ham, who have already had queries regarding the midfielder, would also accept £100 million plus a player for him. Arsenal now seems to be his most likely final destination, although the English international has also drawn interest from Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool.
For more football news, click here
