Harry Redknapp has strongly urged Declan Rice to reject overtures from Premier League heavyweights to stick around at West Ham United.
The hype around Declan Rice is quietly building up ahead of next summer’s transfer window. The Hammers star has become one of the top names on the shortlists of elite Premier League clubs, who might be preparing to make huge offers to West Ham for the midfielder.
Rice has had some majestic performances with the Hammers in recent seasons. He has led the club through the Europa League group stages and helped them up to fifth on the Premier League table.
One cannot doubt his commitment to the team, of which he has become the de-facto leader, and captain since veteran Mark Noble rarely plays. However, Hammers fans fear Rice might leave the club to play for Chelsea or Manchester United, despite some strong suggestions asking the midfielder to stay put.
Now Harry Redknapp, speaking to TalkSport, has reiterated similar suggestions, urging Rice to stick around at West Ham for the foreseeable future. He said, “So I think he’s in a great place at West Ham, and I’d like to see him stay there long term.
“He’s in the England team, so it’s not holding him back at all and West Ham look like a team who are on the up. They could be challenging for trophies in the next year so hopefully, for West Ham’s sake, he stays another few years there,” the former Tottenham manager said.
Meanwhile, Redknapp has doubts if Chelsea, who have been strongly linked with a move, would spend hefty fees on re-signing a player they let go years ago. He also stressed that West Ham themselves are a huge club while evaluating other reasonable options for the England international.
Redknapp continued, “He’s very much a massive part of the team at West Ham. It’s a great club to be at, and unless he’s going to go Man City, maybe Man United or whatever. He’s been at Chelsea as a kid, so I think that’d be difficult one for them, to spend the money having given him away when he was young.”
Declan Rice has a contract with the Hammers until 2024, and the London side are expected to demand fees over £100 million for their prized asset. It remains to be seen if Rice continues to develop at West Ham under David Moyes or decides to join one of those big clubs such as Chelsea or Manchester United.
