Fabrizio Romano shares Declan Rice exit news as West Ham United ace speaks to media
The Guardian’s Fabrizio Romano has revealed there is an “expectation” for Declan Rice to leave West Ham United in 2023.
Rice’s latest comments (Football Daily, 1 December) have cast fresh doubt over his future at the London Stadium with the midfielder suggesting he wants to win the biggest trophies.
Romano has since revealed (via Twitter, 1 December) the 23-year-old is likely to leave East London in the coming year, with Rice unlikely to sign a new deal at the London Stadium.
Inevitable
Unfortunately for West Ham fans, his departure is now looking inevitable, with the prospect of Champions League football ultimately Rice’s primary objective. It’s tough to hear for fans, but a player of his quality cannot be plodding along in a struggling Premier League side.
Considering he’s England’s starting central midfielder and is getting in ahead of players who play in Europe, Rice is well within his rights to want a move elsewhere. Chelsea does look like the most likely destination, with Graham Potter looking to kickstart a new era at Stamford Bridge.
Champions League football is not guaranteed in West London, but there’s a strong chance Chelsea will be back competing within a year or two. Rice has close connections to the Blues, and it would not be a surprise to see him back at the club.
The decision for the West Ham board is to decide what fee would really test their resolve. The club are in a strong position when it comes to his contract, but with every window that passes his value decreases.
After plenty of speculation in the past, this does feel like it could be the beginning of the end for the 23-year-old in a Claret and Blue shirt.