Hammers insist Rice deal will be sorted

West Ham remain entirely confident that Declan Rice will sign a new three or four years deal with the club and are unworried by the leak which claimed the defender had only been offered an £8k weekly wage.

The preliminary skirmishing around such contract negotiations are entirely normal and there has undoubtedly been some predictable muscle flexing by the 19 year old’s new representatives behind the scenes.

With just 25 first team appearances behind him, the Hammers continue to insist that a £15k basic wage plus £10-£15k appearance bonuses is a decent opening offer and has been made on the basis that he is a first team squad member.

As we reported earlier Manu Lanzini’s injury could now mean that manager Manuel Pellegrini will adjust his thinking on purchases and go for one central defender rather than two given the need for a replacement for the Argentinian.

And that means Rice becomes a central figure in the squad along the new arrival, Reid and Ogbonna. His ability – as he has shown for club and country – to play as part of the defence or a defensive midfielder makes him a key player.

 ClaretandHugh has been told: “His currently deal locks him into West Ham for another three years and the club will ensure a deal is done. We will not be losing Declan Rice – such situations develop at the outset of contract talks.”

And a source close to the player added: “Declan has a very good head on his shoulders and is not necessarily motivated by money at this stage.

He wants to play football at the highest level and knows that is far more likely to happen with the club that developed him given his progress last season than elsewhere.”