Paul Merson: West Ham midfielder Declan Rice will leave club in summer
Paul Merson has suggested that West Ham midfielder Declan Rice will leave the club in the summer transfer window.
The Sky Sports pundit has showered praise on the England international, hailing him as a “phenomenal” midfielder.
The 23-year-old has been outstanding this season, and he has been repeatedly linked with a move to Chelsea and Manchester United [Sky Sports].
“I think Declan Rice will be gone this summer,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“I think it will be Man Utd, if you’re Man Utd you’ve got to break the bank. I think he is the best in the business, he has improved immensely, he has taken his game up not one or two, I think he has taken it up ten-fold.
“From a holding midfield player, he is bombing forward, scoring goals, getting chances, and making goals. I can’t talk highly enough of the lad, I think he’s been absolutely phenomenal.”
Top-four must
Rice has been simply outstanding this season. He is the most consistent player in the side and has blossomed into arguably one of the finest midfielders in the league.
From deep midfield position, Rice has added a new dimension to his game by bombing forward and opening up space for other forwards to exploit.
More than anything else, his energy in the middle of the park has been infectious.
Rice has pledged his commitment to the side, time and again, but West Ham need to show their ambitions as well.
He still has got two years left on his current deal while West Ham have an option to further extend by an additional 12 months.
The club are expected to demand a fee of £100 million [Sky Sports] for Rice, should he leave in the summer.
However, the Hammers should rather aim to keep him. That is why securing a top-four position in the league is important.
If West Ham fail to secure a Champions League spot this season, they could struggle to keep hold of their talisman. But financially, they would be compensated, no doubt.
In other Irons news, West Ham boss Moyes opens up on ‘difficult’ January transfer window.