Rob Segal says West Ham star Declan Rice is ‘snookered’ out of move
British super-agent Rob Segal has claimed West Ham ace Declan Rice has been “snookered” out of a move as Chelsea battles a financial nightmare.
The England international has been tipped with several summer moves, including a move to Chelsea [football.london] where the 23-year-old started his youth career.
However, Segal suggested the 2022 World Cup in Qatar alongside the Blues’ financial crisis could see the midfielder stay with the Hammers this summer – at least.
He told Caught Offside: “I think Declan Rice is slightly snookered now. He was going to go back to Chelsea – that was the worst kept secret in the industry but Chelsea isn’t in the same position now, obviously.
“Rice still has a good while left on his contract, two years with West Ham having an option for another, so he is in a bit of a tricky spot now.”
He added: “I know Rice’s valuation is well over £150m, but there is a valuation and then there is what the market is willing to pay. However, in any case, when you include everything else, such as wages, a club is still looking at a good £100m, and I don’t know who is going to pay that. Football, financially, isn’t back to what it was.
“If a club is going to be paying that much for a player and paying him £150,000-per week, maybe more, and they’ve got him for a couple of months before the players leave for the World Cup in Qatar in November, potentially a club is going to be paying a player’s wage for eight weeks and not even have the player.
“I wonder whether or not the traditional big signings we usually see in the summer window will actually happen during the January window instead.”
Facing reality
Rice leaving West Ham seems inevitable at this stage, unfortunately. Hammers fans would have hoped they could keep hold of their star man but if they could warn off those interested in him for long enough but it might not be as simple as that.
The Irons do have a chance of keeping him if they win the Europa League and continue to build on their competitiveness this season by adding some quality players to the team but with a player of his quality, it is only a matter of time until he leaves – as hard as that is to admit.
David Sullivan and co have to hold out for as much money as possible for the 23-year-old. Once Chelsea gets back on their feet, they will throw big money at Rice. Money that can be used to strengthen the squad.
For now, though, he is a Hammers player and hopefully, he can make some history before he leaves – if he does.
In other West Ham news, Lyon eye a summer move for Hammers defender Issa Diop according to a report.
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