Declan Rice: West Ham star’s exit ‘inevitable’ after Tuesday update – pundit
Alex McLeish has admitted it looks “inevitable” Declan Rice will leave West Ham in the near future.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 23-year-old may have visions of joining an established top-four side.
As reported by the Telegraph on Tuesday (1 February), Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City are all plotting moves for Rice if West Ham fail to break into the top four this season.
The midfielder’s suitors have reportedly been encouraged by the Irons’ lack of transfer business in the winter window.
The report claims Rice rejected two contract offers last summer and there have been no talks since, with the Hammers unable to offer what he could get elsewhere.
McLeish admitted the 23-year-old looks destined for a move away from the London Stadium.
Discussing the reported interest in Rice this week, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Do West Ham match his ambitions?
“Having had a taste of Chelsea as a kid, maybe he’s had visions of going back to a top-four club.
“West Ham are now nearing the top four. That would probably depend on being able to keep all their best players.
“For Declan, players maybe don’t see what the manager’s trying to do. Maybe they don’t get the word that he’s been trying to get somebody who can make them a top-four club and take them even higher.
“It seems that somebody like Declan Rice leaving is inevitable. I don’t think he would chastise West Ham and say it’s a lack of ambition.
“Let’s face it, there are probably only about four or five clubs who can get in that top four.“
Rice’s contract at the London club runs until the summer of 2024.
However, the Irons have the option to trigger a one-year extension clause in his current terms.
In other news, Football Insider can reveal West Ham launched last-minute attacker bid.