West Ham United manager David Moyes has warned teams like Arsenal and Chelsea that Declan Rice will be an “extremely expensive” signing this summer.
The 24-year-old midfielder has been widely linked with a move away from West Ham for some time due to his impressive performances for both club and country.
The club is aware that the Gunners are still keen on Rice despite the addition of Jorginho. It’s also known that Chelsea continues to be a top priority for the player. The Hammers captain spent his development years in the academy alongside Mason Mount until he was eventually released at the age of 14.
The England international’s contract with the East Londoners expires at the end of the upcoming campaign, but it’s rumored that West Ham has the right to extend it by another year.
Although Rice has previously expressed a desire to play in the Champions League and the Hammers are now outside the top four, he hasn’t yet committed his long-term future to the club.
A few elite clubs are showing interest in Rice, and Moyes has provided a new update on his midfielder’s future. The Scotsman also praised his captain after the Hammers defeated Manchester United at the weekend.
As reported by Football London, he said:
“You’ve seen him play for England, you’ve seen the abilities he uses in recovering the ball and getting around people. He’s great across the ground, very quick. I’m pleased, but not surprised.”
“Yes, that’s why he is probably the best English midfield player around and that is why he is going to be extremely expensive if anybody comes calling.”
Moyes is correct that it will be difficult to persuade the defensive midfielder to leave East London. Rice’s reputation has grown after he became more well-known for both club and country.
Spending astronomical sums of money has not been an issue for the Blues as they have previously shown by breaking the British transfer record for Enzo Fernandez and another expensive signing, Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Spending a lot of money will be difficult this time due to the fact that Chelsea failed to make the Champions League and that they also need to balance the books in order to abide with the Financial Fair Play rules.
So, it remains to be seen how many surplus players may leave the club in order to reduce our crowded squad and make room for summer additions.
