Jamie Carragher suggested that West Ham ace Declan Rice is worth around £50 million, when speaking during Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football programme last night.
The 20-year-old burst onto the scene with the Hammers last season, and his performances have been nothing less than immaculate over the past 12 months.
Rice has now firmly established himself as a vitally important player for both club and country.
Unfortunately for Manuel Pellegrini, his fine displays have not gone unnoticed.
The Manchester Evening News claims that Manchester United want to sign the West Ham starlet.
He won’t come cheap, however.
Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan suggested that Rice is worth around £90 million, when speaking to Football Insider last week:
“West Ham have got a really special player on their hands. They will struggled to hold on to him, because the big clubs will be hot on his trail. We have just seen Harry Maguire go for £80million and I wouldn’t be surprised if Rice goes for more than that, above £90million, even.”
Carragher suggested that the Hammers youngster shouldn’t cost anywhere near that amount, however, when speaking during Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football programme last night:
“I wouldn’t pay £90 million for a holding midfield player. But do I think that Declan Rice could play for a Champions League side in 12 or 18 months? I think he can. I wouldn’t pay £90 million for him of course, but if you’re talking £50 million, I think he can do a job for a Champions League team.”
West Ham fans will be praying that Rice doesn’t go anywhere.
The Hammers might find themselves in a tough spot, however, if they receive an offer in excess of £50 million for a player who cost them nothing.
The 20-year-old is so important to West Ham, however, that it could be argued that he is in fact priceless to the east London outfit.
And the good thing for the Hammers is that the England international actually seems really happy at the London Stadium. He must keep focusing on improving as a player, and the rest will take care of itself.
Whether Rice’s long-term future remains in east London, however, remains to be seen.
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