West Ham United will use Jude Bellingham saga in Declan Rice transfer news
West Ham United are said to be closely monitoring the situation around Jude Bellingham in regard to the price that Declan Rice will be sold for, according to the Telegraph.
The Hammers are seeking to effectively benchmark the figure for the Borussia Dortmund star when it comes to negotiating with interested clubs.
Both England internationals are expected to move on, this summer, with an understanding in east London that the club captain is set for a new challenge.
The story from the Telegraph sets out how the club are aiming to protect their asset and return the highest possible price if and when a deal is done.
“West Ham United will benchmark the transfer fee that is paid for Jude Bellingham when it comes to negotiating the sale of Declan Rice this summer,” stated the report.
“There is an acceptance from the Premier League club that their 24-year-old captain will leave but they remain determined to drive as high a price as possible.
“So far West Ham have not set a fee for Rice and are taking a keen interest on how much his fellow England international Bellingham cost should, as expected, the 19-year-old be sold.”
Looking out for number one
First of all, it is very good PR for West Ham, to have Rice mentioned in the same context as Bellingham in terms of both potential sales.
With the former Birmingham City player said to be attracting serious interest from Real Madrid, it reflects the status of any prospective move for him. Other top clubs, including Manchester City and Liverpool have been mentioned but the money will talk.
That is also the case when it comes to Rice, as well as who really wants to spend the massive fee that will be required to prise him from the London Stadium.
Setting a fee is one thing but much of the negotiation will come down to who is at the table, as well as the wishes of the player. He is known to want to move on, in a deal that suits all parties but West Ham should not be easy to deal with.
Even more so, if they secure Premier League safety and glory in the Europa Conference League.