West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has risked the wrath of David Moyes, not to mention the Hammers’ faithful – by turning down a huge deal to remain with the East London club.
According to various reports, including the Daily Mail, the England midfielder anchor has turned down a new and improved 8-year contract worth an eye-watering £200,000-a-week salary.
Simon Jordan, who was chairman of Crystal Palace for 10 years between 2000 and 2010 told Talksport radio’s morning breakfast show:
"What a load of rubbish. Who is going to sign a player, in the pomp of his career, in a market place that is supposedly bounding towards signing him, who is going to sign an eight-year deal with West Ham?Why would you do it at £200,000-a-week?.Because you are playing to the gallery. That’s what [David] Gold and [David] Sullivan do. That’s their game. That’s their modus operandi. If someone comes in, they are probably right they are not going to get £150million for him and I wonder who the suitors are.We don’t know who the suitors are. We knew who the suitors for Harry Kane were last year because they popped their head above the parapet and made themselves known it was Manchester City.Who are these suitors for Declan Rice? (Via: talksport.com)"
✅ Eight-year deal
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 11, 2022
✅ £200k-a-week@JimWhite provides the details on #WHUFC’s incredible contract offer to Declan Rice pic.twitter.com/2VjeUAh8cJ
Super-rich in for Declan Rice
The super-rich elite clubs in England have all been linked with Declan Rice, with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City lining up a move.
West Ham are unlikely to compete for Champions League football next season, despite a successful European campaign, reaching the Europa League semi-finals before going out to Frankfurt on aggregate.
He will be looking to push himself and kick on from a couple of impressive campaigns and of course the Euro 2020 journey last summer. He could be tempted to stay if he wants to aim to become a legend at his club, with current club captain Mark Noble leaving at the end of the season.
He may also be wary of the pressure which comes with a big-money move, having seen fellow Three Lions team-mate Jack Grealish admitting to taking time to adjust since leaving Aston Villa for Man City for £100 million last summer.
Declan Rice’s Intensions Has Always Been Clear
It appears there is little that will convince Rice to stay but offering an eight-year deal to a player already looking to compete at the highest level, is not the way to go.
With the club playing hardball since last summer when the contract rejections started, Rice may force his own hand and play his transfer request card perhaps. It could turn quite ugly before the summer window closes.