West Ham United fan clashes in heated debate with talkSPORT host over Declan Rice
TalkSPORT host Rory Jennings was involved in a passionate on-air debate with a West Ham fan over his claim Declan Rice is not worth £100million.
That is the fee the Hammers are reportedly holding out for to sell Rice, with Arsenal said to have fallen short of that fee with two bids thus far (Sky Sports, 21 June).
Jennings’ assertion was challenged by West Ham fan John, who called in and asked if he was worth the fee being banded around.
“Is he worth £100million Declan Rice? I mean Jude Bellingham didn’t go for £100million. Is Declan Rice a better player than Jude Bellingham?” Jennings replied on talkSPORT.
“I’m not passionately arguing with you that he’s not (worth £100m). I’d say that Declan Rice isn’t quite as good as Jude Bellingham, Jude Bellingham went for about £103million. So if we’re using that as the metric, use that as a starting point, Jude Bellingham is younger, more proven, doing it in the Champions League.”
The undeterred caller labelled Rice as “unbelievable” for West Ham and England and called Jennings a “hypocrite” when he said West Ham would accept the money.
Jennings clarified: “I think you would take £100million, I wouldn’t necessarily pay £100million.”
Manchester City and Manchester United have also been linked with Rice – the latter reportedly willing to offer Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay in exchange (Telegraph, 21 June) but Jennings remained unconvinced that the Hammers will receive the fee they want.
He added: “They (Man City) don’t throw the money around you know, they’re very true to their principle. Remember last year when they were flirting with (Marc) Cucurella they decided that he was overpriced they don’t necessarily splash the cash the way they’re stereotyped, City aren’t the spenders that other people think they are.
“I don’t think you’re going to get the money that you think John, I think what you might do is get £100million in terms of total value. So if he goes to Manchester United you might end up getting (Harry) Maguire or (Scott) McTominay as well as £80million quid.
Rice value inflated but Hammers will get the cash
Let’s all ask one very honest question here. Is Declan Rice really worth £100million?
Okay, now let’s all reply with a very, very honest answer. No, he’s not.
That’s not to detract from how good of a footballer Declan Rice is, he is a sensational talent and one who absolutely deserves a move to an elite club.
But it has long been accepted that there is a premium to pay for England internationals, and that was before PSG stumped up a ridiculous €220million to sign Neymar from Barcelona and inflate the transfer market as we know it forever.
So, the argument is almost twofold here. Is Rice worth £100m? No, not really. Will West Ham get that amount? Likely, yes.
Jennings makes a good point that it might not come all in one go, perhaps there will be players involved, perhaps they will have to accept more instalments to the structure. But one way or another the Hammers will get what they’re asking for.