By Hughie Southon

Finally the message is getting through that Declan Rice is not going anywhere this summer.

Claretandhugh revealed two weeks ago that he would be here for the next campaign and that the two sides had an amicable agreement that could be the case.

The following summer could be the time he will go as with two years left on his contract he would still demand the sort of fee the Hammers want.

We made it crystal clear what the circumstances were and that despite having turned down a new offer there were hopes things would go so well at the club he could yet sign a new deal.

Along with two or three other media outlets the Evening Standard has now picked up his words at last night’s Hammers awards saying he dropped several hints that his future beyond this summer lies at West Ham

The midfielder, a long-term target for Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, spoke of the challenge of leading the club forward after Mark Noble’s retirement and being “ready to go again” in Europe following last week’s agonising Europa League semi-final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Excuse us if we say: “Told you so ” on this occasion. 🙂