Ian Wright: David Moyes spot on over ’embarrassing’ West Ham United business
Ian Wright believes David Moyes has been proven right about what he said about West Ham United’s transfer business.
Moyes divided opinion among the West Ham fanbase, despite leading the East London outfit to UEFA Conference League glory in 2023.
Dissatisfaction over the Scottish tactician’s playing style led to David Sullivan rescinding a contract offer and letting him go at the end of the 2023-24 season.
However, there is no denying that the Irons had great joy during the veteran’s five-year reign at the London Stadium.
Moyes proven right about Declan Rice transfer
One of the biggest moments in Moyes’ stint as the West Ham manager was Declan Rice’s £100million transfer to Arsenal in 2023.
The Hammers would not have been able to spend over £120m last summer had the Gunners not made the midfielder the most expensive English player in history.
| Player | Signed From | Signed For | Year | Fee |
| Declan Rice | West Ham | Arsenal | 2023 | £100m |
| Jack Grealish | Aston Villa | Manchester City | 2021 | £100m |
| Jude Bellingham | Borussia Dortmund | Real Madrid | 2023 | £88m (initial) |
| Harry Kane | Tottenham | Bayern Munich | 2023 | £86.4m (initial) |
| Harry Maguire | Leicester | Manchester United | 2019 | £80m |
However, Moyes was of the view that Arsenal underpaid for Rice and West Ham should have received at least £150m for him, and Wright now thinks he was right.
The Arsenal icon went on to claim that the England international has made the £100m fee look “embarrassing” during his time at the Emirates Stadium so far.
Speaking on The Overlap (April 10), Wright said: “I remember David Moyes saying ‘[West Ham] haven’t got enough for him’. I remember him saying that he wanted £150m for him.
“I know now we can all say David Moyes was right, but since Declan’s been at Arsenal, he’s made that fee look embarrassing.”
Rice stuns away from West Ham
Rice has become a major topic of discussion in the football world after starring in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, 8 April.
The former West Ham captain scored twice for the Gunners, as they put one foot in the semi-final of the European competition.
What made his performance more special was that both his goals were free-kicks, with the second one blowing the minds of fans, journalists, pundits and players around the globe.
Pablo Fornals and Joe Hart even sent messages to Rice after his performance on the big stage.