Agbonlahor suggests West Ham could reject Declan Rice offer after ‘£100m bid’ claim
West Ham may be able to keep hold of Declan Rice if he does not rediscover his best form, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker insisted no club will pay £100million for Rice if he does not improve his performances before next summer.
Sources told Football Insider last week (15 October) that the 23-year-old has no intentions of signing a new deal at West Ham no matter what they offer him.
His current deal has less than two years left to run but the club have the option to extend it by a further 12 months.
West Ham have made multiple attempts to secure him to fresh terms and have seen a £200,000-a-week, eight-year deal rejected.
“I think it’s difficult with Declan Rice because it depends on what his form is like,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“This season, so far, his form hasn’t been at the top level that it was last season.
“He scored last weekend, yes, but he will know that he has to get back to his levels from last season, have a good World Cup, have a good start to next year and see what happens.
“It just depends on whether he does enough in the next nine months for someone to warrant paying £100million for him.
“It’s all down to him because it’s a lot to pay for a centre-midfielder who doesn’t really score goals.”
Sources told Football Insider earlier this month (8 October) that Jurgen Klopp “loves” Rice as Liverpool prepare to make a marquee midfield signing next year.
The England international has also attracted interest from Chelsea, Man City and Man United.
In other news, an ex-Fifa official has claimed West Ham may be “in trouble” with Uefa as “terrible” footage emerges.