West Ham handed hope in bid to get Declan Rice to a sign new deal
West Ham United’s hopes of convincing midfielder Declan Rice to sign a new deal are rising, according to Claret and Hugh.
There has been absence of enquiries or bids for the England international, 23, over the last couple of years and during the current January transfer window.
Rice rejected two attempts by the Hammers to get him to pen an extension last summer, and while he still has two-and-a-half more years on his current contract, with the option of another year, they are not giving up in their bid to hand him an improved deal.
Good news
West Ham plan to make Rice the highest-paid player in the club’s history, and that should see them hand him wages in excess of £150,000-a-week.
With his suitors not approaching the club with bids and enquiries, it appears the new valuation has scared them away, with the Irons demanding over £100million for his signature.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are the sides regularly linked with Rice, but none are ready to make a move right now.
Nevertheless, all that could change in the summer, and clubs outside England could join the queue as he continues to impress.
At the moment, nobody is knocking on the door for his services, and that has handed West Ham some kind of boost.
Qualifying for next season’s Champions League would further boost their chances, but they may need to strengthen during the January transfer window to keep that dream alive, and Rice could be watching with keen interest.
West Ham need to convince him that they can match his ambitions, but their current squad is not enough to do that.
In other West Ham news, an amazing attacker is making personal arrangements for Hammers switch in January.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Hammers and more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.