West Ham United are ready to fend off interest from Manchester United and Chelsea by offering Declan Rice a bumper eight-year contract.
According to Talksport, West Ham United are ready to break the bank in their bid to keep hold of Declan Rice. The midfielder’s current deal at the London Stadium expires in 2024, but it appears the club have offered him a bumper eight-year contract worth £200,000 per week, in the hopes of retaining his services.
West Ham’s offer comes in the midst of widespread speculations linking Rice to a move away from London Stadium. Chelsea and Manchester United are among the clubs in contention to sign the midfielder, who has remained tight-lipped on his future but is believed to be keen on moving on, in favour of a new adventure elsewhere.
The exact details of West Ham’s contract offer are even more staggering, with the club willing to adjust the player’s £200,000-a-week wages to match inflation over the period of the next eight years. They have also offered the midfielder’s camp the opportunity to extend the length of the deal to ten years, which would ensure his future at London Stadium until 2032.
Rice has proven to be an excellent servant for West Ham in recent years. Since making his breakthrough, the midfielder has racked up almost 200 competitive appearances, playing a key role in helping the Hammers establish themselves as a top-seven club under the leadership of David Moyes.
During his rapid rise to prominence, the 23-year-old has established himself as the beating heart of the England midfield as well, notably winning 29 caps for his country. He is expected to play a key role for the Three Lions in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
However, the report suggests Rice has shown no inclination to sign the contract offered by West Ham. It appears the Englishman is truly considering an exit, especially amid interest from Chelsea – a club he holds dearly.
The youngster had played for Chelsea’s youth academy from 2006 to 2013 and could relish the opportunity to return to Stamford Bridge, potentially becoming a direct replacement for Jorginho, who has been linked with a move to Juventus.
Manchester United could be another potential destination for Rice. The Red Devils are currently in the market for a defensive midfielder after Nemanja Matic confirmed his exit at the end of the season. Rice fits the bill well due to his aggression, leadership and technical ability, making him an ideal coup for Erik ten Hag.
It now remains to be seen whether Rice puts pen to paper on the new contract offer made by West Ham United or decides to seek a new challenge before next season starts.
