West Ham confident keeping hold of Declan Rice

Forum 1 year ago

West Ham confident keeping hold of Declan Rice

West Ham are confident keeping hold of Declan Rice this summer.

The Daily Mail says West Ham believe they have beaten off interest in their coveted star player Rice and will see him lining up in claret and blue when the next season kicks off.

The Hammers are 'assured' the 23-year-old will become the new club captain and stay 'for at least another year' and reject overtures from bigger clubs.

The midfielder has not given West Ham any reason to believe he wants away and plan to unveil him as the new club skipper after Mark Noble retires in a fortnight.

A source said: "I believe he is staying for at least a year and maybe beyond that. He has been nothing short of decent to the club and the fans.

"There is still a new contract to be negotiated and he will become the highest paid West Ham player.

"The club are comfortable with the way things are proceeding and Declan's respectful way he is going about things.

"When he kissed the badge and ran towards the West Ham fans in Lyon after he scored in the Europa Cup, it just underlined what he feels about the club and the supporters.

"Declan will likely be England captain one day and it is not lost to many at the club that he is following in the footsteps of our greatest player Bobby Moore who lifted the World Cup as a West Ham player."

The source added: "It is difficult for him to say anything publicly, but you just have to examine the passion and dedication he shows wearing the West Ham shirt to see where his heart remains."