West Ham sporting director Mark Noble has made a huge Declan Rice statement that will be music to Arsenal’s ears.
Hammers legend Noble retired in the summer and was replaced as captain by talisman Rice.
After a short break, Noble returned to West Ham in January to a newly created sporting director role similar to that occupied by Edu at Arsenal.
Ironically Noble started his youth career with the Gunners before joining his beloved West Ham.
Hammers fans have had to endure more speculation surrounding their captain Rice recently with unlikely title hopefuls Arsenal throwing their name around as Chelsea have before them (Eurosport).
Reports recently from the likes of The Guardian claim that Rice now favours a move to Arsenal, whose progress under Mikel Arteta is said to have impressed him.
West Ham fans know only too well that the club has allegedly privately agreed to sell the midfield ace in the summer.
And Arsenal are one of several clubs rumoured to be waiting to move for him.
Now West Ham sporting director Noble has made a huge Rice statement that will be music to Arsenal’s ears.
Speaking in an interview with The Evening Standard, Noble says fans can’t blame Rice for wanting to leave West Ham in search of trophies and Champions League football.
Noble – who will be having a big say in West Ham’s transfer business as part of his new role – has given the clearest indication yet that Rice will be sold in the summer window.
And he does not believe supporters can or will begrudge Rice being ambitious.
“We’re West Ham and these players want to go out and play Champions League football — and do you blame them?” Noble told The Evening Standard.
“Dec is no different. Dec will always be hailed at West Ham as a fantastic player and such a top, top person. But I don’t think anyone begrudges him wanting to go and win things. We just hope he’ll keep performing like he has been over the last month or so.
“Wherever Declan ends up, or however much someone pays for him, whether it’s here or anywhere else, he’s worth every penny.”
In the wide-ranging interview, Noble reiterated that Rice has openly stated how much he loves paying for West Ham.
But he admitted his friend and former midfield partner does want to ‘go and play in the Champions League and win trophies’.
“I don’t think any West Ham fan can actually have an agenda over that,” Noble adds.
“Do you blame him for having really big ambitions? Of course you don’t. If he didn’t, he probably wouldn’t be as good as he is.”
Noble makes some salient points, even if it is hard to hear and difficult to stomach for ambitious West Ham fans.
Moving to the London Stadium was meant to help us compete in the transfer market and keep our best players.
And to a degree it has. But it seems West Ham will always ultimately be a club that has to say goodbye to truly top class players when the established elite come calling.
What the Hammers simply must do now is ensure they get the money Rice is truly worth like so many other clubs manage to.
Arsenal should beware because Newcastle are supposedly considering making a serious statement of intent with a move for Rice in the summer too.
Eddie Howe was left in awe of the West Ham captain after he dominated them at the weekend.
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