View: West Ham should sell Declan Rice this summer
Ask anyone who wears West Ham colours, they do not want to see Declan Rice leave the club this summer no matter what money is on the table.
The 23-year-old midfielder has become a club icon since making his debut as a fresh-faced teenager, going on to become one of the best Irons players in the Premier League era.
That form has seen him linked with a move to the European heavyweights, including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea and Man City in a potential £100m move after manager David Moyes’ comments.
But while everyone in east London is hoping and praying that nobody comes in with a transfer fee that will force the Hammers to sell, maybe the club should be considering a sale now rather than later.
It’s inevitable that eventually Rice will leave. Whether it’s now, next summer or the summer after, he will go as he looks to pursue Champions League football and trophies.
West Ham are highly unlikely to be able to provide him with that in the near future which means they have a dilemma. They currently have two years remaining on his contract, plus an option to extend for a further year.
The cards are in their hands. There’s no doubt about that, and the fact they’re publicly playing the ‘not for sale’ card means little in the world of football transfers.
But there should be a voice of reason somewhere telling the Hammers to cash in this year to avoid this whole scenario getting ugly for fans, player and club, while they also miss out on a boat load of cash.
As it stands the club are in the best place they’ve been in for a long time. They’re pushing for European places in the league and challenging for the Europa League title after good displays in the tournament.
Their stock hasn’t been higher, which means they can attract big names to improve their squad. So add the £100m they can get for Rice to their budget, and the improvements they could make are other-wordly.
They could sign several players to add depth and quality, while still having money for a big name or reputation if they needed or wanted it. It works for all.
Rice leaves on good terms, the club can follow in the footsteps of Aston Villa’s plan for replacing Jack Grealish and continue their progress to improve without him.
It’s worth considering, at the very least.
In other West Ham news, ‘Needs to go’ – Pundit tells West Ham ace he must leave the club this summer: ‘100 percent’