Pundit claims West Ham can’t handle Declan Rice demands after Times update
Noel Whelan has claimed Declan Rice’s wages demands could “cripple” West Ham amid a reported standoff.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Hammers would not want to break the bank to tie the 22-year-old down.
The Times (23rd August) claim Rice plans to rebuff any contract offers from the Irons after growing frustrated with the club’s transfer stance.
West Ham reportedly want £100million for the midfielder and Rice feels he is being priced out of a move.
However, Whelan suggested Rice would also be demanding a mega wage to tie himself down in east London.
He claimed meeting the player’s demands could have a detrimental impact financially.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “There’s no doubt about it. The demands that he’s going to be wanting wage-wise and contract-wise is probably a little step beyond West Ham.
“That would probably really cripple them in certain ways. That’s not what they want.
“They want the club to be run right, they want quality players.
“Maybe, just maybe, Declan Rice is one of these superstars in their side that they just can’t match the demands that other clubs would offer.
“I think Declan Rice probably wants a move. There’s no doubt about that when you’ve played in European finals and you’re playing it out of your skin at the minute for West Ham.”
Rice’s current contract at West Ham is set to run until the summer of 2024.
However, the Irons hold an optional one-year extension clause, meaning he is effectively tied down until 2025.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has told West Ham fans to be “deeply suspicious” as Irons icon drops takeover verdict.