Declan Rice asked if he could actually stay at West Ham now after Europa Conference League win live on BT Sport
Declan Rice responded last night when asked if he could now stay at West Ham after our Europa Conference League win.
West Ham won our first major trophy since 1980 after club captain Declan Rice lifted the Europa Conference League trophy out in Prague last night.
The Hammers fans have all accepted that last night was Dec’s final game in a West Ham shirt. David Moyes surely has as well.
Is there actually a chance that Rice could stay on at the club for at least one more year though?
Declan Rice asked if he could stay at West Ham now after Europa Conference League win
The Hammers captain was interviewed by BT Sport’s host Jules Breach and pundits Joe Cole and Carlton Cole after the game last night.
And Rice responded when asked by Breach if he could stay on at West Ham, as the Hammers fans were singing the ’10 more years Declan Rice’ chant (BT SPORT Wednesday June 7th, 10:35pm):
At the moment there’s a lot of speculation going on about my future. There is interest out there from other clubs but ultimately I’ve still got two years left at West Ham, I love this club, there hasn’t been anything yet. My focus is playing for West Ham, enjoying tonight and seeing what happens. I’m captain of this club, I love it to pieces and cannot speak highly enough of this place. Let’s see what happens. Who knows.”
Dec really is incredibly mature for someone so young, and he handled what could have been a really awkward question with tremendous composure and class.
Listen, I would obviously love him to stay at the London Stadium for at least one more year, and with Europa League football now on offer at the club, who knows what might happen.
However, I firmly believe that last night was the midfielder’s final game for the Hammers. And if that turns out to be the case, what a way for him to go out.
Declan Rice left the door open to potentially staying at West Ham after last night’s Europa Conference League win, and his comments will have the fans dreaming of one last dance.
I just can’t see it happening though, and if he does bow out this summer, he’ll go with the blessing of every single West Ham fan.
READ NEXT…
West Ham: Hammers has successfully signed there long time target
West Ham United are leading the way for the signature of relegated Southampton star James Ward-Prowse this summer, according to Football Insider.
Is James Ward-Prowse leaving Southampton?
As revealed by Football Insider, James Ward-Prowse was given permission to leave Southampton in the case of relegation.
So, now that the Saints are set for a spell in the Championship, the midfielder is reportedly free to leave.
The club captain couldn’t do enough to rescue his side from relegation, despite scoring nine goals and assisting a further four from midfield in the league.
Ward-Prowse’s form was certainly Premier League quality, as is his ability.
And, with that, he has attracted the interest of West Ham, who, alongside London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, lead the way for the Englishman’s signature this summer, according to Football Insider.
After spending his entire career up to date with Southampton, Ward-Prowse’s time at St Mary’s looks set to finally come to an end
How much will James Ward-Prowse cost?
Despite suffering relegation from the Premier League, Southampton will look to demand £40m for the transfer of Ward-Prowse this summer, according to Jack Rosser of The Sun.
It remains to be seen whether West Ham can match that price, but the prospect of Europe once again next season would certainly provide a financial boost ahead of the summer.
The Hammers may have no choice but to invest in midfield reinforcements this summer, too, given the uncertainty surrounding Declan Rice’s future at the club.
The England international has been linked with moves to Bayern Munich and Arsenal, as per Florian Plettenberg.
The potential arrival of Ward-Prowse could help to fill the void left by Rice, if he did decide to leave West Ham in the summer transfer window.
The “phenomenal” Southampton captain – as once described by former teammate Charlie Austin – would also fill the homegrown spot that Rice would leave.
Speaking on potential signings this summer, Moyes suggested his desire to sign homegrown players, saying via the Evening Standard:
“I would say yes, I think I would like to add more a little bit more of British players or homegrown players if we possibly could.
“I wouldn’t set out to take one of them if I saw something better or I thought there was a better alternative.”
With that in mind and a whole summer of twists to come, West Ham’s reported pursuit of Ward-Prowse could yet see plenty more twists and turns.
READ NEXT
Done deal West Ham has successfully signed Liverpool Manchester United and Arsenal target £150m
West Ham are being linked with an incredibly exciting move to sign Barcelona sensation Ansu Fati.
Interestingly, West Ham United allegedly tried to sign Ansu Fati from Barcelona before, back in 2020.
And it seems as though David Moyes could be set to go back in for Barca wonderkid Fati…
West Ham handed huge Ansu Fati boost
According to The Athletic, Fati should prepare for the worst because it will take a miracle for him to remain at Barca beyond the end of the summer transfer window.
When Fati burst onto the scene at with Barcelona four years ago, he was labelled as the ‘new Messi’ (talkSPORT).
However, his form has really dropped off over the past years or so, with injuries having wreaked havoc with his progress.
In spite of that, Fati is still an unbelievably talented young player.
The 20-year-old possesses electric pace, exceptional skill and a really intelligent football brain that defies his tender years.
He has bagged 29 goals and 10 assists in 109 games for Barcelona (Transfermarkt) – a pretty decent return for someone so young.
Forbes claim that he could be available for around €70 million (£60 million) this summer.
In fairness I can’t see David Moyes paying anywhere near that amount to bring him to the London Stadium this summer.
However, if Barcelona truly are so keen to move Ansu Fati on, I wouldn’t be surprised one little bit if West Ham were able to pick him up for half that fee in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal think they can get £30m discount on ‘outstanding’ player this summer
Arsenal are pushing to sign Declan Rice from West Ham but they want to do so at what they consider a more reasonable price.
According to The Evening Standard, the Gunners are willing to buy Rice but want a considerable knockdown on the £120m valuation West Ham have.
Arsenal are willing to pay around £90m for Rice and are hoping the Hammers will come down towards that mark.
Arsenal think they can get £30m discount on ‘outstanding’ player this summerPhoto by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
ARSENAL
Arsenal think they can get £30m discount on ‘outstanding’ player this summer
By Lee Connor
8 minutes ago
Arsenal are pushing to sign Declan Rice from West Ham but they want to do so at what they consider a more reasonable price.
According to The Evening Standard, the Gunners are willing to buy Rice but want a considerable knockdown on the £120m valuation West Ham have.
Arsenal are willing to pay around £90m for Rice and are hoping the Hammers will come down towards that mark.
West Ham United v Leeds United – Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Arsenal keen to land Declan Rice
The Evening Standard reports how Arsenal are actively pursuing a deal for Rice to come to The Emirates. But even though they have money available – over £200m – the Gunners want to spend it wisely.
They are said to be willing to go to around £90m to sign Rice and hope the Hammers can compromise.
However, David Moyes has said all along that should Rice be sold, then it will be on terms that suit the club. The West Ham board, then, could well hold out knowing there is so much interest.
Rice himself is known to be open to a move to Arsenal. He has had talks with Thomas Tuchel at Bayern but believes staying in England is the best thing for his career right now.
Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United have all been credit with holding an interest in the England man.
A must do for the Gunners
If Arsenal are intent on challenging City again and want to show everyone they can do the business in the market, then they have to get this deal for Rice done.
It might cost them a huge sum but they need to show they can get big deals finished off. So far, despite their good signings, they’ve missed out on a number of big names.
If they can get the deal over the line for Rice, then it sends a message to the rest of Europe