Pundit Paul Merson has made a crushing new triple shock claim raising doubts about Declan Rice after questions over his West Ham future.
There has been renewed speculation over Rice’s future at West Ham this week after new comments from the midfielder.
Rice picked up the London Player of the Year award this week and afterwards West Ham’s talisman was asked about his ambitions, his price tag and his future.
Whatever happens with Rice, he won’t come cheap. David Moyes has repeatedly insisted West Ham value Rice well in excess of £100m.
The West Ham star very much drew a line in the sand over his future in an interview with The Evening Standard.
Rice described his need for Champions League football and silverware as “urgent” and labelled his £100m valuation “crazy”.
There is a feeling among fans and pundits that West Ham simply have to qualify for the Champions League this season if they have any hope of keeping Rice at the club beyond the summer.
West Ham have two bites at the cherry in that regard this season via the Premier League and Europa League.
But now Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has made a crushing claim over his ‘triple shock’ doubts about Rice.
Crushing new triple shock Declan Rice doubts claim made by Paul Merson after questions over West Ham future
Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson said he is shocked by Rice’s price tag, will be shocked if West Ham got in the Champions League and will even be shocked if Rice stays should they make Europe’s top competition.
“I like Declan Rice, don’t get me wrong but £120m for someone who ain’t giving you any goals, is he? He’s not Frank Lampard,” Merson said on Sky Sports.
“It’s a lot of money that is. I like him, he’s a good player, but £120m (even) £100m is a lot of money. A lot of money.
“He won’t be at West Ham next season. No disrespect to West Ham, I’d be shocked if he’s still there.
“That would be a tester for him (if West Ham get in the Champions League) but I still don’t think so. I think he’ll still want to move on. Because I think then the next question then will be ‘Oh well I want to win the Premier League’.
“Do you know what I mean? This is just a safety net saying ‘Oh well I want to play in the Champions League’.
“If they got in the Champions League, I’d be shocked anyway but then I’d be shocked if he was still there in my opinion. And £100m is a lot of money.”
Rice missed West Ham’s excruciatingly harsh defeat to Liverpool on Saturday through illness.
Moyes and Hammers fans will be desperately hoping he recovers in time to face Sevilla in the Europa League last 16 first leg on Thursday night.