Declan Rice is being linked away again.
It happens every now and then and it seems as though the front runners in the eyes of the media, are now Manchester United.
Apparently, according to the Daily Mail, it’ll cost them £150m.
Now, we’re not for a split second saying that the Hammers would reject a bid of that magnitude. If it did come in, there’s every chance in the world it would be accepted.
But no club has actually come forward with an offer, not last summer, nor the summer before, and we won’t hold our breath on it happening this summer.
The offer isn’t coming in from Chelsea, who have been sanctioned by the British government because of Roman Abramovich’s ownership and may not be able to make bids for anyone this summer. Manchester City want Erling Haaland at around £130 million.
So it leaves United. But why on earth would the England international go there?
United may be a bigger club than the Hammers, in terms of their trophy-winning down the years, but they aren’t necessarily better set to win anything right now and it’s that which Declan admits is his driving force.
United are sixth in the league and are only two points better off than the Irons. Declan isn’t motivated by money, he wants to win the big trophies and play in the Champions League with regularity.
You could make an argument that he needs to move to do that, despite David Moyes making every effort to ensure it’s West Ham who are challenging for the pots and the European qualification, but United offers him no guarantees.
He can’t just go there and expect to win things, because they aren’t good enough.
They’re also just as much a team in transition as anyone else; they’re likely to have a new manager in the summer, and a huge player turnover too.
If Declan wants to win things immediately, as he’s said previously, then a move to Old Trafford doesn’t make a single lick of sense.
Correct makes no sense only man City if leaves London otherwise Chelsea but for me he stays at west ham for at least another season as world Cup coming and hopefully moyes gets in top players for next season if he moves a bit quicker than his cv shows as dithering dave.
I think we can all agree he will have to move for regular Champions League football, and I also think we know his preferred destination is Chelsea. Add to the mix the fact the club obviously realises that the longer his contract runs down the weaker their position becomes and I think we begin to realise his days in claret and blue are probably numbered.
But, as you say in the article, why Manchester United ? Champions League participation next season at the moment is only marginally more likely than it is if he stays. If I was advising him I would be suggesting unless Chelsea, once their ownership issues are resolved, make an approach that he should sit tight. Unless he is unfortunate enough to sustain a bad injury he is likely going to continue to improve further and, from HIS point of view less time remaining on his contract is in his interest.
In the meantime there is nothing anyone can do about the press rumours, based on fact or just plain rumour, so let’s enjoy his performances in a West Ham shirt whilset we are still able to.