“One hundred per cent, I want to play in the Champions League.”
With those words, stated during a press conference at the World Cup in Qatar, Declan Rice removed all doubt that he would be open to the idea of leaving West Ham this summer, admitting into the bargain that he is envious when watching his England team-mates compete in the competition.
The faint sounds heard, among the frantic clicking of cameras, was Chelsea pricking up their ears, and Manchester City rubbing their hands in anticipation.
In truth, it was already abundantly clear that Rice’s immediate future lies beyond the London Stadium, with the midfielder rejecting three separate overtures from the Hammers to sign a new – and vastly improved – contract.
It’s a situation that puts Chelsea in pole position, with City also seriously fancied in the football betting to secure one of the brightest homegrown talents in many a year. Manchester United are consistently in the mix too.
Before we evaluate their respective claims, however, let’s take a look at what the player wants, and what is now in West Ham’s best interests.
Anecdotally, it’s been said that Rice is extremely keen for any imminent move to be done amicably and that he has no intention of handing in a transfer request, nor kick up a fuss if his current employer plays hardball.
A proud captain of the Hammers and with a close relationship with the fans, Rice is desperate not to leave on bad terms.
This explains his candid comments such as in Qatar and elsewhere. In effect, he is addressing the West Ham fan-base. Getting his side of the story on record.
As for the Hammers, they are expected to trigger a one-year extension on a contract that expires in 2024, doing so purely to strengthen their bargaining position.
Manager David Moyes has previously said that a minimum of £150m will be required to dislodge his star player and though it won’t ultimately be in that region, nine figures will almost certainly be on the cheque, with Rice no doubt handed a bumper deal that will make him significantly wealthier than he is even now.
None of this happens unless West Ham execute their contract clause. Or at least, it is a different conversation if they don’t.
It is tempting to think Chelsea don’t have an urgent need for Rice given that they have recently splurged a British record sum of £106m on Enzo Fernandes. But that overlooks the patchy injury record of N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.
Similarly, at first glance you wonder why Manchester City would be willing to spend a huge chunk of their transfer war-chest on a player who inhabits Rodri’s position, the Spanish international being the best in the Premier League in that role.
With Ilkay Gundogan tipped to depart this summer for Barcelona however, and with Kalvin Phillips yet to pull up trees at the Etihad, an established superstar bolstering their midfield would be a welcome boon.
It is these two clubs that head the queue for Rice, and arguably it is Chelsea who are favourites, due to the player – a born and bred Londoner - supporting them as a child.
It doesn’t take an online betting genius to know that the odds on Declan Rice leaving West ham this summer are short indeed. Where to though, only time, and a great deal of money, will tell.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
