West Ham manager David Moyes remains stern on the future of Declan Rice despite him reportedly snubbing a new deal at the club.
Whispers over the future of Rice have gotten louder and louder over the course of the season. The Hammers ace has proven his worth to the side time and time again.
Indeed, Rice has led his team from the front, and put in some top performances. West Ham have made it to the semi-finals of the Europa League and continue to battle for a top-six finish.
England international Rice – who has two goals in 29 caps – has been a mainstay of the east London side. As such, many big hitters have thrown their hat in the ring for his signature.
The likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been linked. Throughout, Hammers manager Moyes has been clear that it would take a mega sum to sign him, or he will go nowhere.
Despite Rice not putting pen to paper on a new deal yet, Moyes has stressed that point.
“We like Dec and he’s got three and a half years to go on his contract so I don’t think there is any big panic,” the manager said, via 90min.
“Maybe he just wants more money. People do turn down contracts. It is not unusual for players at clubs to turn down contracts, maybe it is a negotiation tactic.”
Moyes also likened to Rice situation to one he had at Everton, while stressing West Ham’s position.
“I sold Wayne Rooney and Everton got better,” he said.
“It doesn’t always mean that things don’t happen. We’ve said before that we’ve got no intention of selling so I don’t know why you keep asking.”
Moyes laughs off journalist role in Rice reports
Moyes was put on the spot in a press conference, when he was informed of reports that Rice had opted against a new deal.
The West Ham manager was informed that Fabrizio Romano – respected Italian transfer guru – was the journalist who broke the news, and promptly laughed it off.
“Who was the journalist who put it out?” Moyes asked.
“One of the local boys then.”
Despite those reports, West Ham clearly do not want to see Rice leave. With his contract running until 2024, it will be a while before the Hammers are forced to see him depart.
READ MORE: Gary Neville predicts Declan Rice transfer outcome with £80m Man Utd deal cited
