Fabrizio Romano shares what he’s now been told about Declan Rice situation at West Ham United
Declan Rice has “very good chances” to leave West Ham this summer, but the project at his next club and the potential to win titles will be a crucial factor in which club he chooses, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The 24-year-old is attracting a lot of interest from the top sides in the Premier League in recent months, with just over a year left on his contract at the London Stadium still to run.
Speculation has long linked the Hammers academy graduate with a return to his boyhood club Chelsea, and Arsenal have recently emerged as strong contenders in the race [The Times, 1 March].
The England international has also been heavily linked with Premier League champions Manchester City.
And Romano, speaking in his latest CaughtOffside substack column [2 March] revealed: “I’m told Rice has very, very good chances to leave in the summer. The project at his next club is absolutely crucial for Rice, he wants to win titles and to feel like an important player, he doesn’t want a big club and then only sit on the bench… he wants to be an important player.
“I love Rice. In my opinion, he’s a top top player. I’m sure he will be a regular starter wherever he decides to go.”
Critical decision
Rice’s decision this summer will be hugely critical and it is one which could shape his destiny to become one of the best players in the world or even the best of his position.
His next club will certainly decide that ambition, and he certainly has a whole host of interested parties to choose from.
All of Manchester United, City, and Arsenal have the ambitions and the capabilities to win titles in the future and the 24-year-old certainly won’t be criticised for picking either of those clubs.
But, it is evidently clear that the player wants to be the centre of a new project and also desires to feel wanted. Which of those clubs can provide him with those needs?
United and Arsenal arguably are the most preferable with Erik ten Hag and Mikel Arteta respectively building younger, fresher and hungry teams. Considering the plethora of talents in Guardiola’s weaponry, Rice may well suffer the same fate as Kalvin Phillips who has failed to hold down a regular spot since his move from Leeds United.
It will certainly be exciting to see who Rices chooses as his next hunting ground this summer.