West Ham United would be “willing to bend over backwards” if they felt that Declan Rice would be willing to extend his contract under David Moyes at the London Stadium, according to journalist Paul Brown.
The midfielder is currently in Qatar on World Cup duty for Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
West Ham contract news – Declan Rice
According to Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian, Rice has indicated he wants to leave West Ham whilst on World Cup duty, suggesting that he wants to play in the Champions League.
Speaking on media duties (via The Guardian) Rice has said: “One hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League. For the last two or three years, I’ve been saying that.”
The same report says that the 23-year-old has no intention of signing a new deal that has been put on the table for him, with the Irons demanding a fee of at least £100m to sell him next summer.
And Brown thinks that if Rice was to make a U-turn on his stance over a new contract at the club, they would do everything in their power to offer him a deal to stay at the London Stadium.
What has Brown said about Rice and West Ham?
Brown told GIVEMESPORT: “From West Ham’s point of view, I think the club believes they've done pretty much all they can to convince him to sign. The ball is in Declan Rice's court.
“I think if he or his representatives were to go to West Ham with any kind of indication that he might have softened his stance and he thinks that his future lies there for the next three or four years, then that could all change and the club would be willing to bend over backwards to do whatever they can for him.
“But I think they've made him several good offers already, and there isn't a lot more they can do.”
What next for Rice and West Ham?
For West Ham, they will now need to focus on securing the right transfer fee for Rice as they look to secure the signing of a replacement who can match the versatility he offers them in midfield.
However, the immediate priority for the Irons captain at the moment will be focusing on helping Southgate’s Three Lions squad win England’s second-ever major tournament in Qatar.
The 37-time international has started all three fixtures for the Euro 2020 runners-up this term as per Transfermarkt and will be expecting to make another in Sunday’s last 16 tie with Senegal.
A solid Sofascore rating of 6.97 for his performances at the tournament so far would suggest that there is little reason for Southgate to drop the London-born star ahead of the side’s meeting with the 2021 AFCON champions, as the holding midfielder makes that position his own on a national level.
It’s sure to be an interesting few months ahead for Rice with his West Ham future looking in doubt, but for now, his focus will be on earning honours on the international stage, ahead of what promises to be a busy summer transfer window for his services.