West Ham United transfer news as Declan Rice clause to be used in exit
West Ham United are expected to use a clause in Declan Rice’s contract to maximise the transfer fee they can receive for the player, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The England international is widely expected to depart the London Stadium at the end of the season, to move to an elite club, with Arsenal strongly inked.
The fee to secure the services of Rice is said to be £100million, with the club prepared to part ways with their skipper, this summer.
The situation was set out by the Daily Mail with the club’s position strengthened with the clause.
“West Ham are resigned to losing Declan Rice this summer if an appropriate offer arrives for their £100million-rated captain,” stated the report.
“Rice, 24, agreed to stay this season to help lead the team in the wake of Mark Noble’s retirement, but the club could not convince him to remain longer.
“The England midfielder’s contract expires in 2024 and West Ham can trigger a one-year extension but sources have said they will have to sell this summer because Rice is ready to leave to compete for the biggest trophies.
“They will welcome offers and use that clause in negotiations by saying his contract is valid until 2025.”
Do the deal
The club will rightly use the one-year clause to its advantage but it is only a bargaining chip to protect the asset, given the sale is most likely to happen in the coming months.
Ahead of this expected massive negotiation, the Hammers’ hand will be strengthened by the likely retention of the club’s Premier League status and it could be strengthened further if the Europa Conference League trophy is lifted by Rice.
AZ Alkmaar comes to east London on Thursday for the first leg of the semi-final clash in what is a great opportunity for the club.
That would be a great, fitting send-off for the talented midfielder ahead of the anticipated summer sale that will have a pivotal impact on the fortunes of West Ham over the next couple of seasons in terms of replacing Rice and reinvesting the money into the squad wisely.
Go and do the deal while his stock is at its highest point.