When a club such as West Ham get a player like Declan Rice it doesn’t take long for top clubs to come calling. The fear for many Hammers fans was that Manchester City would come calling with an aging midfield. However, City might have just found their future man.
Rodri, a 22-year-old center midfielder for Atletico Madrid in La Liga had told the club president that he wants to leave per reports from SBNATION. The young defensive center mid has also asked for “space” from Madrid due to the interest from City and Bayern Munich. West Ham fans will hope it’s City!
Rodrigo Hernandez, his full name, has a 70 million pound release clause and apparently, both clubs are willing to pay that price. Also, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted out that Manchester City has confirmed that they are willing to pay that price.
This has to be music to the ears of all West Ham fans as the fear of Declan Rice leaving for Manchester City might be gone. The rumors of City looking at Rice started late last season and into the transfer window. With an aging Fernandino, City have been looking for a new defensive midfielder but hopefully, with this Rodri news, the hunt for Rice might be over.
The young English midfielder has become a hero for West Ham already and became a fan favorite along the way. Rice has additionally reported that he is happy at West Ham and wants to help them progress and head towards Europe. More music to Hammers fans ears, myself included.
Football isn’t played like it was in the past and you don’t see players staying at the same club for a career. The hope for all of West Ham from ownership to fans is that he stays a once man club but as he progresses, it’ll be hard to keep the top 6 clubs at bay especially with the like of City and United poaching around.
I believe that in time he will progress past current club legend Mark Noble in skill and ability which will only make the lure from other clubs stronger. My belief is that with Rice’s love for West Ham and Pellegrini’s project working, the Hammers will be playing in Europe and will slowly fade away other top clubs from trying to get the young starlet.
A player like Rice doesn’t come around often and the fact that the West Ham brass are taking care of him is good news for all and with Manchester City about to secure up their future, West Ham fans should stay relieved that he won’t be going anywhere.