(Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
West Ham have lodged complaints with TalkSport about the heavy criticism the club received from pundit Danny Murphy over the handling of their contract negotiations with Declan Rice since learning the player’s agent also represents the former Liverpool and Fulham professional.
Murphy argued that it was “ridiculous” West Ham were yet to reward Rice’s impressive performances with a new contract when he appeared on Jim White’s radio show on Monday.
He them warned the club risked losing their brightest young talent if the matter were not resolved soon.
The 19-year-old has entered the final two years of his deal and rejected an offer worth around £15,000 a week – since increased in latest talks plus £20k appearance money.
The news of Murphy’s link to Rice’s agent Neil Fewings first arose via journo Paul Walker and was reported here and on www.kumb.com.
It has also emerged that Jamie Carragher – who told the club to pay Rice what he is worth whilst stopping short, like most, of saying what that should be – is also connected with the same agent.