West Ham ‘eager to keep hold of Declan Rice this summer but concede they WILL sell him in 12 months’

West Ham are ‘determined to keep hold of Declan Rice this summer but concede that they WILL have to sell £150m-rated midfielder in 12 months’ time’ after he turned down a third contract offer from the Hammers

  • West Ham are eager to keep hold of Declan Rice during the summer window
  • However, they recognise the growing interest in the England international
  • Therefore, they have conceded that they will have to sell him in 12 months
  • Manchester City and Manchester United are both interested in the midfielder  

West Ham are eager to keep hold of Declan Rice this summer but have conceded that they will have to sell him in 12 months time, according to reports. 

Manchester City and Manchester United have registered an interest in signing Rice this summer after the 23-year-old England international turned down a third contract offer from the Hammers. 

Therefore, West Ham will reportedly look to sell Rice – who has more than two years left on his contract – for at least £150million in 2023 after England’s World Cup campaign in Qatar. 

West Ham are determined to keep hold of their star midfielder Declan Rice this summer

According to The Athletic, West Ham are eager to keep hold of Rice this summer despite growing interest from Premier League rivals City and United. Chelsea are also long-term admirers.

Rice has played an instrumental role in West Ham’s success this season, having helped the Hammers reach the semi-final of the Europa League and push for a top-six Premier League finish. 

Therefore, West Ham want to hold onto their star player for as long as possible and have tried to persuade him to sign a new deal with the club. However, Rice has reportedly turned down the latest offer of a new deal and is said to be open to a move this summer.

It’s understood that City have already requested to be kept informed of Rice’s future plans and made it clear they are a viable destination. 

However, they have conceded to the fact that they will have to sell him (R) in 12 months time

However, they have conceded to the fact that they will have to sell him (R) in 12 months time

Erik ten Hag will likely target a move for Rice at Old Trafford

But Manchester City are set to rival them for his signature

Pep Guardiola and new Man United boss Erik ten Hag are both vying for Rice’s signature 

City may be a more attractive option than United for the 23-year-old considering the Red Devils need ‘open-heart surgery’ to rebuild the club according to their current interim Ralf Rangnick. 

Manchester United legend Gary Neville recently shared his opinion on Rice’s situation saying he ‘knows’ the England international will leave West Ham ‘in the next year or two’. 

Speaking after West Ham’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea, Neville said: ‘David Moyes has absolutely done the right thing to prioritise Europe in the week.

United legend Gary Neville says he 'knows' Rice will leave West Ham in the next year or two

United legend Gary Neville says he ‘knows’ Rice will leave West Ham in the next year or two

Rice came on as a substitute during West Ham's loss to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon

Rice came on as a substitute during West Ham’s loss to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon

‘He’s got a far better chance of making the Champions League that way than through the traditional route that is top four. Declan Rice, we know he’s going to leave in the next year or two.

‘Because of the relationship, I think they can be really mature about this. I don’t think it has to be played out in the media.

‘They can be really direct, honest and then communicate what they’re going to do. I don’t think there’s any reason to allow the speculation to destroy the dressing room spirit.’

Rice started West Ham’s game with Chelsea on the bench as David Moyes looked to rest several players ahead of their crucial Europa League game on Thursday. 

Rice came on as a second-half substitute but couldn’t prevent Chelsea from emerging victorious. 

The England international took to Twitter after the game to say: ‘All focus turns to Thursday. We go again’. 

Meanwhile, West Ham have been keeping tabs on Hull City winger Keane Lewis-Potter (left)

Meanwhile, West Ham have been keeping tabs on Hull City winger Keane Lewis-Potter (left)