Sam Stone

Sun 18 December 2022 13:40, UK

We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…

Frank McAvennie believes selling Declan Rice will be the “last piece” of business David Gold and David Sullivan do before they eventually sell West Ham United.

Claret and Hugh suggested (19 November) that Sullivan and Gold are not looking to sell the club as many predicted in April, with Daniel Kretinsky looking to purchase a majority share.

However, McAvennie can envisage the current owners leaving the London Stadium in 2023, and believes they will sell Rice to put more “money in the bank”.

“They’ve already given him backing and the problem is, in my opinion, they’ve signed players for the squad and not for the team,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.

“The two up front in Gianluca Scamacca and Michail Antonio is great and that’s a combination I would like to see. They need players in midfield but I don’t think the players who have come in have been good enough to challenge for a place.

“This is probably why Declan Rice wants to leave and as I’ve said before, West Ham need to meet his ambitions and I don’t think they’ve done it.

“West Ham don’t need players for the future, they need players for right now. David Moyes knows that if they don’t perform, he could be out of a job. I don’t think they’ll give him any money. Mr Gold and Sullivan are selling up next year and the last piece of business they’ll do is sell Declan Rice.

“It’s money in the bank for them, whether you like it or not.”

Rice’s future always seems to be in the spotlight and the links to Chelsea haven’t disappeared with Graham Potters’ side expected to make a move in the summer for their number one target (Football London, 14 December).

The Irons will be hoping to hold on to their talismanic captain for another season, although it now seems unlikely that he will sign a new deal at the London Stadium.