Oh No, Declan Rice is Linked With Another “Top-6” Club
By Adam Smith
The grass is green, the sky is blue, and Declan Rice is linked with a big-money move to a “top-6” team, these are a few things West Ham supporters can count on being constant in their lives. Does the latest link really change anything though?
As West Ham supporters there is nothing on the Declan Rice transfer front that would really surprise us short of him committing his future to West Ham with a new deal being signed.
Outside of that unlikely situation unfolding, it seems that this is the summer West Ham’s newly crowned captain will be out the door. Where will the holding midfielder go? That, now, is the real question.
The latest rumour mill news suggests that Arsenal will now throw their hats in the ring for Rice’s future home. With the way things are trending for the league leaders, it wouldn’t be a terrible idea for him to seriously consider Arsenal as the best spot for him to land.
The best case scenario for West Ham is a strong second half for the team led by Declan Rice, increasing the inevitable transfer fee he garners.
With young players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Ødegaard, Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale, etc. to play with, Declan Rice could be in Mikel Arteta’s team for a long time with exciting teammates to support him and grow with him.
Now, for West Ham, the compensation would have to be over £100m. With more years left on his contract in years past the number was closer to £150m, but with his contract dwindling down towards its end after the 2024/25 season, West Ham would be wise to cash in now while they can still demand and get a massive return for him.
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What has protected Rice from leaving the club in the past has been the player himself. Originally cut from Chelsea’s academy, then narrowly getting a West Ham Scholarship, then shifting from centre-back to midfielder, Rice’s ascension to England starter and football superstar has been rocky.
These harrowing experiences hardened the player, making him the well-rounded professional he is today. The perfect example of this is how Rice has stayed quiet on the transfer front despite top interest for years, focusing on getting minutes, developing his game, and learning how to be a leader under Mark Noble and captain a Premier League team.
The respect he has shown this club is something that not many players destined for greatness show anymore; the personal brand is always more important than the club you play for. This is not the case for Rice and West Ham supporters should laud him for it.
What this tight-lipped approach to his own future has done is allowed the queue to form for his signature while he’s progressively gotten better. Chelsea were the first to show interest, then Manchester United. Now, with Arsenal joining the race for Rice and Manchester City apparently mulling a move over for him, the bidding war can commence.
The wildcard in all of this, especially since Arsenal have shown interest in Rice, is Chelsea owner Todd Boehly. Boehly, who has more money than God apparently, just outbid Arsenal on long-term target Mykhailo Mudryk in a deal worth £88m, seemingly because he wanted to hurt his cross-London rivals. Boehly can be counted on to up the ante on Rice should Chelsea lead the race at any point in time.
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The informed West Ham supporter has given up hope on Rice staying with West Ham for his whole career. The relegation form this season has all but confirmed that Rice will go as his dream of Champions League football is closer to Championship football with this current team. All we can do now is sit back and watch as huge money comes rolling in for the best defensive midfielder in the world… just not yet.