Declan Rice’s contract negotiations continue but it would be fair to say a high stakes gamble is being played out.

His agent Neil Fewings – whom we believe also looks after Jack Wilshere’s interests – is understood to be holding out for a wage of around £40k a week whilst the Hammers are offering something approach of half that plus hefty appearance money.

With the season drawing closer and the club more intent on events on the field it’s unlikely this will be sorted in time for the kick off with both sides holding an even money chance of getting what they want. That’s a shame.

The Hammers could be forced in upping their offer to nearer ‘Team Rice’s’ requirements should the youngster find himself playing regularly in the team and that may be what Fewings is banking on.

However, with Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena now on the books it’s very much a punt in the dark.

Having said that Rice is most certainly not a player the club want to leave and we hope a deal can be struck sooner rather than later.

We need no dark clouds on the horizon of what has been a brilliant summer – come on people let’s get this sorted.