Declan Rice has already played his last game for club as exit confirmed by West Ham owners
West Ham’s owner, David Sullivan, has officially announced that Declan Rice’s time at the club has come to an end following their triumph in the Europa Conference League.
“I think it has to be [his last game]. We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going. You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements,” Sullivan told talkSPORT.
“It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down. It’s cost him £10million to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.
“I think the offers will start to come today. There are three or four clubs who have shown interest, but out of respect to West Ham, while we’re still playing, you don’t make offers for players. That’s not the way decent clubs do things.”
Sullivan’s remarks follow Declan Rice’s decision not to say goodbye to West Ham fans following their victory against Fiorentina. The midfielder even suggested the possibility of extending his stay at the London Stadium beyond the summer.
“It’s not goodbye yet, there’s loads of speculation about my future and there is interest from other clubs, but look, nothing’s happened. I’m a West Ham player, I’ve still got two years left on my contract,” he told BT Sport.
“I love every minute of playing for this club and captaining this club, you can see the smile on my face. It’s not about that tonight, it’s about us celebrating. Let’s wait and see what happens.
“My focus is playing for West Ham at the moment. I’m captain of this club and I can’t speak highly enough of this place. Let’s just see what happens. Let’s wait and see. Who knows?
“I’ve given my heart playing for this club over the past six years. I’d give anything to help this club win. We’ve not had it easy. We’ve been facing relegation. To win this now, to be in that category, I don’t want to say too much. I’ll get too excited.”
Sullivan’s statements are likely to bring joy to the executives at Arsenal and Manchester United, as both clubs are considered to be leading contenders for Declan Rice’s signature.
Arsenal is reportedly preparing to initiate negotiations with West Ham officials in the upcoming days and weeks, aiming to reach an agreement. With Granit Xhaka expected to depart the Emirates Stadium, Rice is believed to be Mikel Arteta’s primary target for midfield reinforcement.
Having made his breakthrough into West Ham’s first team in 2017, Rice has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s finest midfielders. He has also become a regular presence in the England national team, even starting in the final of Euro 2020. Moreover, following Mark Noble’s retirement, Rice was bestowed with the captaincy at West Ham.
Declan Rice has already played his last game for club as exit confirmed by West Ham owners
