Declan Rice leaving West Ham looks more likely than ever, claims Simon Johnson, after his stunning EURO 2020 displays.
The Englishman, still only 22 years of age, was simply brilliant at the EUROs and is now the talk of the town but West Ham have all the power in negotiations.
Rice is bound to a contract that lasts until 2024 and the Hammers also have the right to extend it by another year until 2025.
The Telegraph says West Ham could demand as much as £100million but go on to say the player is hopeful his valuation dips to £60million.
TOPSHOT – England’s midfielder Declan Rice talks with Germany’s defender Antonio Ruediger at the end of the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium in London on June 29, 2021. (Photo by FRANK AUGSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Dean Jones, writing in his Transfer Notebook for Eurosport, Champions League clubs Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have all shown an interest in signing Declan Rice.
According to ExWHUemployee, Liverpool are ready to submit an offer to sign Rice and could do so soon but they will need to beat Chelsea and Manchester United to his signature.
Simon Johnson says the more he speaks to people in the know, the more it seems Rice could still leave West Ham this summer.
The more you talk to people about the Declan Rice situation, the more you think a move could still happen in this window. He has made it very clear to #WHUFC that he won’t sign a new deal & as reported elsewhere, wants to be kept informed of any bids. Would clearly favour #CFC
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) July 22, 2021
While James Pearce reported for the Athletic that talks over a new contract for Jordan Henderson aren’t progressing well, it seems unlikely he will leave this summer.
If he did leave, Rice would be my number one target to replace him as he has the passion, aggression and assertive passing needed to succeed at Liverpool.
More importantly, he’s a leader. If you strip down all Henderson’s many talents as a footballer, his most enviable trait is that he is a leader of men and that’s something you can’t teach or learn.
Rice has it – and in abundance.
