The manager of West Ham United, David Moyes has stressed that his defensive midfielder, Declan Rice is not for sale in this coming summer transfer window.
According to the coach, the £100 million price tag West Ham United placed on Declan Rice last summer was cheap, noting that even if a club brings £150 million for the services of the 23-year-old defensive midfielder this summer, they would not sell the English player.
Rice joined West Ham United when he was 14-year-old after Chelsea rejected him. He developed himself in the club’s youth system until July 1, 2017, when he gained promotion to the club’s senior team.
Since then, Rice has scored 10 goals and provided 9 assists in 188 games in all competitions. His consistency and leadership quality at the club influenced David Moyes to make him one of the club’s captains even though he is one of the youngest players at the club.
Also, his consistency influenced England national team head coach, Gareth Southgate to invite him to the Three Lions of England. Rice made his international debut in the colors of England on March 22, 2019. Since then, the 23-year-old defensive midfielder has scored 2 goals in 29 games for England.
Recall that Declan Rice switched his allegiance to England from Ireland after he has played for the country from under-17 to the country’s senior team. He switched to England after he had made three senior appearances for Ireland, luckily for him and England, he made those appearances in international friendlies.
Due to his consistency for both the Three Lions of England and West Ham United, Rice has become one of the most sought players in England. Initially, reports claimed that Chelsea are interested in signing him but nothing concrete has happened yet.
In recent times, struggling Manchester United have been heavily linked to Rice but reports claimed that United are not willing to pay £150 million for the services of the fast-growing football star.
Ahead of the Premier League game between Chelsea and West Ham United, David Moyes insisted that the club has no plans to let Declan Rice go yet.
“If I had heard something, I wouldn’t tell you. But the best thing to say is that ‘no we’ve not’, and let me tell you, he’s not for sale. So, that may shut down any questions about Declan, but we do expect questions on him because he’s doing so well”, Moyes told reporters ahead of the game against Chelsea which will kick off at 14:00 on Sunday, April 24.
“Is he irreplaceable? Well, I had to sell Wayne Rooney early when I was at Everton. I thought Wayne was irreplaceable but what happens in football is you move on. That is what happens in football.
“Sometimes things like this do happen but we’ve got no intention of letting that happen at this present time here at West Ham…
“If you are interested, well, it will be north of that. One hundred was cheap last summer. One hundred and fifty just now would be minimal but he is not for sale. What I do know is that it means there are only certain clubs that could even consider it.”
David Moyes has warned clubs that Declan Rice is NOT for sale! ❌
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 3, 2022
The #WHUFC boss sits down with Sky Sports to discuss all things West Ham ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/VqEO4vC1ft
Update on the contract between Declan Rice and West Ham United
As mentioned earlier, Declan Rice has been a player of West Ham United since he was 14-year-old but he started playing for the club professionally on July 1, 2017.
Based on the contract extension Rice signed with West Ham on December 28, 2018, the 23-year-old defensive midfielder reportedly earns £62,000 per week as a West Ham player. The contract is expected to expire on June 30, 2024, with an option for a year extension.
Ahead of the expiration of the contract, West Ham United tried to extend it recently but Declan Rice rejected the offer which could mean that he is considering moving to a more competitive club.
According to a transfer analyst, Fabrizio Romano, the West Ham United’s offer Rice rejected would have earned him £200,000 per week.
As it stands, even if Rice decides to renew his stay at West Ham or not, the club has the final say on his future for at least two seasons more.
So far in the 2021-2022 season, Rice has scored five goals and provided four assists in 43 games in all competitions. His current transfer market value according to transfermarkt.com is €75 million.
Declan Rice – European Nights
— CFCVideos (@CFCVideos) March 30, 2022
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