Rice will leave West Ham in the summer. I’m sure it will be a record transfer, says manager Moyes, who hopes it won’t happen

The transfer of Declan Rice from West Ham has been speculated for some time. But one thing certainly prevents it. For the English midfielder, the London club is asking for an undoubtedly huge sum, which none of the leading European clubs have been willing to pay so far. However, the much-awaited change will apparently take place in the summer.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Rice’s departure is almost a certainty as he has reportedly refused to sign a new contract with the club. It can therefore be reckoned that West Ham will cash in on him in the summer rather than risk his eventual departure for free.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder is too valuable for that! ” There is no doubt that Rice will be a top player. And there is no doubt that his transfer will become a British record once he leaves West Ham. That’s for sure.”

Unlike Harry Kane, whose transfer has been speculated for years, Rice does not play for a top club and cannot be counted on to stay longer than necessary at West Ham, where he arrived in the summer of 2013 from rival Chelsea.

The West Ham captain, who has played three games in the Ireland national jersey as well as 39 games for the England national team, is an absolutely key component in the Moyes machine. He has not missed a single game in the current Premier League season.

He has only had a break in cup duels with Derby, Blackburn, FCSB and a Conference League qualifying double-duel with Viborg.

Together with Lucas Paqueta, who secured his team a point against Newcastle for a 1-1 draw, and Tomas Soucek, they are the highest rated players in the team according to Whoscored, with Rice clearly above them all.

According to Fabrizio Romano, both sides are counting on Rice leaving the London club this summer, as he reportedly refused to extend his contract.

West Ham will try to cash in on him as much as possible, plus the record transfer of Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea is also playing into his hands. The sum of 121 million euros will be at least a stepping stone for the transfer of the English midfielder, who has already played 188 games in the Premier League.

According to talkSPORT, the current league table leader has already made an approach for the Hammers star. Arsenal, however, failed with their £80m bid, despite Rice’s apparent preference to move to the Gunners, at the expense of Chelsea, where he started his youth career.

The question remains whether there will be a club that will want the West Ham captain for such a high sum, or whether West Ham will have to discount him to avoid losing him for free soon.

Source: Twitter, talkSPORT, West Ham