Pundit tells West Ham to brace for Declan Rice bids this month as multiple clubs circle
West Ham should race for heavy interest in Declan Rice this month as clubs look to exploit their poor league position.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the midfielder’s future.
As quoted by the Daily Mail (26 December), Moyes claimed West Ham will put up a “big fight” to keep Rice at the club beyond this summer, insisting they won’t “roll over” in negotiations.
The under-pressure Irons boss previously valued the midfielder at over £150million in an attempt to stave off interest from the likes of Liverpool, Man City, Man United, and Chelsea.
However, with the Hammers only out of the relegation zone on goal difference, McManus is expecting Premier League clubs to try their luck at signing Rice this month.
“It would be suicidal, they can’t sell Rice this month,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“That would be the end of them. Rice represents so much more than the rest of the squad. He’s probably their best player and he is the club captain.
“Him leaving would be a sign of the club giving up. They would go down. It depends on what Rice wants to do. if he is desperate to leave then I’m sure a move could be sorted out.
“But if he is happy to wait until the summer then that’s up to him. I still think several clubs might try their luck, who needs a midfielder?
“Quite a lot of clubs do and with West Ham right down there, maybe it is worth throwing a bid in.
“Could you imagine if they sold him?
“That would absolutely be that for West Ham, it can’t happen.”
In other news, pundit cites Mauricio Pochettino as West Ham edge closer to sacking David Moyes.