Darren Bent: Declan Rice wants to leave West Ham
West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice wants to leave the London Stadium for the next level, according to Darren Bent.
The England international has rejected two contract offers from the club [The Telegraph], and nothing has been heard about an update in recent weeks.
Rice has been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, but a move this summer does not appear to be on the cards.
Bent believes the 22-year-old refusing to sign an extension means he wants out.
“The sign that Declan Rice has not signed a new contract would suggest to me that he wants to go to the next level, and I can understand why,” the talkSPORT pundit said on Drivetime.
“West Ham had a fantastic season finishing where they did, and it’s a bit strange because when you’re asking people to predict their top six, because not one person will say West Ham. They’re not even getting a mention.
“Declan Rice will, of course, know his own worth and his own value. He’s an international and he’s going to want to compete for major honours in terms of league titles and the Champions League. I understand it would be tough for him to leave West Ham because he’s had some great years there, but it’s about moving to that next level.”
Summer exit ruled out
West Ham are definitely pricing suitors out of a move for Rice this summer, with manager David Moyes recently hinting that the club are not interested in selling their £100million-rated star [talkSPORT].
While the midfielder has refused to sign a new deal, he has not submitted a transfer request and is not likely to do so this summer.
We do not see him attempting to force an exit next summer either, and he could even pen an extension should new owners come in.
The chances of PAI Capital completing a takeover of the club are very slim, though, with David Sullivan clearly not willing to sell.
With some of his international teammates completing mega-million moves to Champions League sides this summer, Rice would surely be dreaming of something similar.
We are playing European football this season too, and it is something that should keep him till at least next summer.
We do not want him gone anytime soon, but the ball is completely in his court.
Should he prove himself in the Europa League and at next summer’s World Cup, suitors will be more than keen to part with top dollar for his signature, and West Ham will not have a choice than to sell if he wants out and their demands are met.
In other West Ham news, Euro club plot ‘Ambitious’ move to sign ‘Monster’ Hammers player.
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