West Ham reportedly think they’ve found perfect Declan Rice replacement, he could cost £70m

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West Ham reportedly think they’ve found perfect Declan Rice replacement, and he could cost as much as £70 million.

Hammers boss David Moyes has a huge task on his hands, if he is to keep Rice at the London Stadium for the foreseeable future.

Incoming Sporting Director Mark Noble has already suggested that if one of the world’s biggest clubs submit a fair offer for Dec, West Ham will have no choice but to sell him.

Rice is under contract with the Hammers until the summer of 2025, so should a big offer come in for him in six month’s time, the owners may well be tempted to sell him.

Losing the England international at some point is inevitable. So what Moyes needs to focus on is getting the replacement for the 23-year-old absolutely spot on.

And it seems as though the Scot has someone specific in mind…

West Ham eyeing perfect Declan Rice replacement

According to a report from The Daily Mail, Brighton star Moises Caicedo is Moyes’s number one choice to replace Dec, as and when he eventually leaves the London Stadium.

I think that the 21-year-old would be as sensational addition for West Ham, and he is more than good enough to fill the gaping hole that will be left behind when Rice is sold.

The Daily Mail reckon that the Ecuador international could cost around £80 million, whilst The Sun claim that Brighton could demand as much as £70 million.

That may sounds like a lot of money, but if we manage to sell Rice for around £100 million, it will actually be good business for the Hammers.

Jamie Redknapp recently described the young midfielder as a ‘revelation’ (Sussex World). Meanwhile, 90 Min recently labelled the midfielder as ‘outstanding’, and they’re not wrong! What a player he is.

Caicedo has adapted so well to the robust and intense nature of Premier League football, which is quite remarkable considering the fact that he’s only 21.

He is a powerful and energetic central midfielder and had bagged two goals and two assists in 25 games for Brighton thus far (Transfermarkt).

Caicedo possesses stamina in abundance and has all of the attributes that Moyes needs to add to his central midfield options in January.

In 14 Premier League outings so far this season, the Ecuadorian ace has averaged 3.1 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 0.6 clearances per match. He’s made 53.9 passes per game on average and has recorded a completion rate of 87.3% (Who Scored).

Having taken all of that into account, it seems like the Ecuadorian ace would be the perfect addition to Moyes’s ranks.

I would love to see Caicedo at the London Stadium. And if the Hammers sign him, it will be real evidence that we are properly planning for the future.

West Ham finding an adequate Declan Rice replacement certainly won’t be easy. However, Moises Caicedo has everything needed to fill Dec’s boots in East London.

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