Hammers boss David Moyes has made two things crystal clear about a summer transfer for West Ham captain Declan Rice.
If Declan Rice is – as is widely anticipated – to leave West Ham this summer then it will be one of the most loving and emotional goodbyes football has seen. On both sides.
Hammers fans know only too well the clock is ticking down on the moment Rice likely leaves West Ham this summer.
After the clash with Liverpool there will be just nine games left for the midfielder at best – if they make the Europa Conference League final.
A host of Europe’s top clubs have been linked with Rice, chiefly Arsenal of late.
For several months now the talk has been that Arsenal are the leading contenders to sign the West Ham talisman.
Arsenal rumours not going away anytime soon
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is said to be a huge fan of the Hammers captain. And if last weekend’s 2-2 draw between West Ham and Arsenal was an audition of sorts for Rice, then he passed with flying colours as he forced Thomas Partey – the man he could replace – off the pitch.
Chris Sutton and Don Hutchison believe it will be between Arsenal and Liverpool to sign Rice this summer.
West Ham fans would – obviously – dearly love their main man to stay. But the skipper has rejected the biggest contract in the history of the club and has publicly declared his intention to play in the Champions League and compete for top trophies.
Hammers supporters have been doing their bit to show Rice how much they want him to remain at the club.
They relentlessly chanted for Rice to stay during the win at Bournemouth and the skipper clearly appreciated the love in his response.
Dec “desperate” to leave? Someone had better tell his face then
There has been talk Rice is “desperate” to leave West Ham this summer and “excited” by the prospect of joining Arsenal.
If that is the case someone had better tell Rice – who was captured on video joining the wild celebrations after West Ham’s academy side beat the Gunners to win the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday night.
West Ham boss David Moyes has been reluctant to discuss Rice’s future in public. Save for insisting any club who wants him will have to meet West Ham’s £100m plus valuation.
Now Moyes has made two things crystal clear about a summer transfer for West Ham captain Rice.
Speaking to the press, as quoted by The Evening Standard, the Scot said his preference would obviously be to keep Rice.
But he insists there are two non-negotiables when it comes to the situation amid interest from Arsenal and co.
David Moyes makes two things crystal clear about summer transfer for West Ham captain Declan Rice
- That Rice will not be going anywhere unless a club meets West Ham’s valuation, and…
- Nobody can ever question Rice’s commitment to West Ham United regardless of what happens.
“My hope somewhere is that Dec thinks this is the best place for him to be. And if somebody doesn’t come up with the right amount of money, it will continue to be the place he is as well,” Moyes made crystal clear.
“The club have made that pretty plain. But I hope we can continue to get the best out of Dec…
“What Dec has given back to West Ham, whether it is the club or the supporters, the team, and more importantly himself and his family, he has shown he is absolutely dead on, not missing a thing.
“No question marks can be asked about Declan Rice. He celebrates with the supporters, he talks to them, he is with them. In the dressing room he leads the team. If there is one thing you say about Declan Rice, whether he leaves or stays, he has been 100 per cent committed this year.”
I think I have something in my eye…
One more year, one more year I pray.
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