West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice is said to be ‘unhappy’ with the club’s ‘prohibitive’ valuation, amid interest from the Premier League’s top sides.
The England international has been at the centre of speculation regarding his future for the last 18 months or so, having become a pivotal figure in central midfield for both club and country.
Still just 22, the former Chelsea youth team player is currently the captain of David Moyes’ side and was in superb form last season as West Ham achieved an outstanding top six finish to secure Europa League football.
That excellent campaign was followed by a string of assured displays for the Three Lions at Euro 2020, Rice forming a strong midfield partnership with Leeds United man Kalvin Phillips, the duo a central part of the nation’s surge to the final.
Such displays have further enhanced his glowing reputation and sparked even more transfer speculation, although any departure from the London Stadium currently appears unlikely, with Rice said to be ‘unhappy’ with the club’s ‘prohibitive’ valuation that is preventing any move, as per the Telegraph.
David Moyes said last season that he felt it would take a bid of ‘far more’ than £100m to sign the youngster as the club looked to ward off any potential interest, with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea rumoured to be keen on a deal.
Both clubs have already invested heavily this summer, meaning that splashing out another £100m was always unlikely to be on the cards, leaving Rice frustrated that he is being prevented from securing a switch to a top club.
The report also adds that the Englishman is worried that the club can’t match his ambition, with Moyes’ side the only top-flight club not to have bolstered their ranks with new faces.
That ambition is seemingly to compete for major honours and to play in the Champions League, the Hammers having narrowly missed out on a top-four place towards the end of last season.
Both United and Chelsea would likely have bid in the region of £60m/£70m this summer had West Ham lowered their valuation, yet as it is, no bid is expected to arrive.
The player could also be of interest to Manchester City next summer, the current champions likely to be seeking a suitable replacement to long-serving midfielder Fernandinho, who has just 12 months left on his existing deal.
As for Rice, the report suggests that he has already turned down two new contract offers and may opt to run down his current deal which will have just two years remaining at the end of the season.
That scenario would see the Hammers forced to lower their asking price and thus make a departure more likely for the promising midfielder.
Read – Opinion: The standing of football supporters has never been taller, now show us some respect
See also – From Gunners to Gonners – Tracing the Roots of Arsenal’s Soft Centre
Subscribe to our social channels:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
Did I not read somewhere that Rice was happy to emulate Noble and be a 1 club man? The 2 Davids need to pay him what he asks or better yet sell to PAI.
Loyalty costs nothing but means everything, especially to Hammers fans.