European giants Real Madrid have effectively ruled themselves out of the running for West Ham star Declan Rice anytime soon.
As West Ham fans will attest, Rice has been incessantly linked with a move away from the club over the last two years.
The Hammers talisman has established himself as one of the finest midfielders in Europe with his performances for West Ham and England.
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As Rice’s profile has risen it has attracted the inevitable transfer tittle tattle that goes with the territory.
The likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and even Liverpool have been linked with mega money moves for Rice, who is valued at well over £100m by West Ham.
And recently the mighty Real Madrid were added to the mix according to respected transfer reporter Gianluca Di Marzio.
Speaking in an interview with the website wettfreunde a few months back, the journalist claimed his fellow Italian, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, is a big fan of Rice.
Di Marzio said Ancelotti is sure to want the West Ham ace at Real Madrid if and when he is available for transfer.
“I know Carlo Ancelotti is a fan of Declan Rice,” Di Marzio told wettfreunde.
“So he could be a good fit for Real…
“If Rice is available, Ancelotti is sure to be there. But I have no idea what strategy the Royals are pursuing, which players are staying or going.”
Real Madrid rule themselves out of the running for Declan Rice
Well that strategy has now become clear and it is good news for West Ham.
Because it has seen Real Madrid effectively rule themselves out of the running for West Ham star Rice.
Madrid have made three moves which clearly show they have no intention of signing Rice in the short, medium or long-term.
Real’s veteran superstar central midfield duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos confirmed they are staying for another two years after winning the Champions League at the end of last month (Daily Mail).
Modric, 36, put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension until next June while Kroos said he would ‘continue here at Madrid… two more years’.
Real added sensational France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga to their ranks last year and he has seriously impressed despite being just 19.
Now Real have completed a £70m move for Camavinga’s compatriot and fellow central midfield ace Aurelien Tchouameni – one of the most coveted and highly regarded young midfielders in world football (BBC Sport).
Reports had suggested that Tchouameni had agreed terms with West Ham’s Premier League rivals Liverpool.
But the brilliant 22-year-old midfielder has joined Real Madrid from Monaco instead and will team up with Camavinga, Modric, Kroos and Madrid’s other two top drawer central midfielders Fede Valverde and Casemiro.
That means Real are extremely unlikely to ever come calling for £150m rated West Ham star Rice, who will remain with the Hammers for another year at the very least.