West Ham United chairman David Sullivan has expressed that club captain Declan Rice has possibly featured in his last game for The Hammers.
David Sullivan is saying this as it appears the club have “promised” Rice that he could exit the club in the summer.
The England International has been linked several times this season with a move away from the UEFA Europa Conference League champions.
West Ham United defeated Fiorentina 2-1 to win the Conference League courtesy of goals from Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen.
David Sullivan was asked by talkSPORT after his club’s cup triumph if Wednesday’s Conference League final win was Rice’s last game for West Ham.
Sullivan said: “I think it has to be.
“We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.”
Declan Rice became the third West Ham United captain to lift a trophy for the club
Wednesday victory over Fiorentina meant that Declan Rice became the third West Ham United captain to lift a trophy for the club.
He follows the path of the legendary Bobby Moore, who lifted the Cup Winners Cup in 1965.
Alongside Bobby Moore, club great Billy Bonds also led the hammers to the FA Cup title in 1975 and 1980.
Declan Rice has made 245 appearance for the London side and scored 15 goals for West Ham United.
He made his debut in the 2016/17 season after earning a promotion from the academy to the senior team.
Rice played for the Republic of Island on three occasions before changing allegiance to the Three Lions of England.
The 24-year-old has made 41 appearances for England and he featured in all five games at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Declan Rice’s contract with West Ham United expires in the summer of 2024, although the hammers have the option to activate a one year extension in his deal.
That indicates that Rice could still remain at the London stadium till the summer of 2025, which puts them in a leading position to negotiate for a considerable transfer fee.
David Sullivan spoke about the Englishman’s dedication to the team and how Declan Rice just has to move on in his career.
He said: “You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season.”
“In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement, or several replacements.
Additionally, Sullivan revealed that the man who has been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich was offered £200,000 per week but he rejected it.
The 74-year-old said: “It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago. He turned it down.”
During the season, David Moyes also spoke about how Declan Rice might leave the club in the summer and David Sullivan has also corroborated that thought.
He said: “It’s cost him £10m to stay at West Ham in that time in lost wages. And he wants to go.
“You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there. The offers will start to come today.”
In conclusion, the Hammers owner said there are about a quartet of clubs looking for the services of the English midfielder.
Sullivan stated: “There are three or four clubs who have shown interest but, out of respect to West Ham, while we’re still playing, you don’t make offers for players.”
