Rice tipped to sign new West Ham contract with ‘£80m release clause’ after reveal – pundit
Declan Rice may sign a new West Ham contract if it includes a release clause below £100million, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England forward insisted Rice is not worth £100million and suggested a release clause of £80million or £90million.
The Telegraph reported on 21 August that the England international is unhappy at the club’s £100million valuation.
It is claimed the midfielder will reject any new contract offers as he wants to play Champions League football.
Asked for his assessment of the 22-year-old’s situation, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “The problem with Declan Rice is that he’s very young and that’s probably why the fee is going to be higher than people think.
“He’s still got a lot of football to play in his career. He’s starting for England and deserves to be playing Champions League football. Sooner or later, if West Ham can’t get that for him, he will leave. Whether that’s this summer or the summer after.
“If he signed a new contract, he’d put in a release clause. I’m sure that’s the only way Declan Rice signs a new contract with West Ham. A release clause of maybe £80million or £90million.
“I don’t think he’s a £100million footballer. You can’t pay £100million for a defensive midfielder, to be honest. We’ve just seen Jack Grealish go for £100million so you can’t say Declan Rice should be £100million as well. I’m saying £75million.
“Eventually, he will leave West Ham. He will have aspirations of Champions League football, for sure.”
In other news, West Ham fans should be worried by a “surprise” David Moyes transfer admission.