By Wayne Veysey

27th Sep, 2021 | 7:00am

Sources: West Ham 'selling Declan Rice for £90m' as bid for replacement lined up

West Ham are planning to sell Declan Rice for around £90million as they line up a bid for his replacement, Football Insider understands.

The future of the Irons star man is the subject of intense speculation after he knocked back new contract offers from the club.

A West Ham source has told Football Insider that the plan is to sell Rice while his value remains high rather than allow him to run down his current deal.

Hammers chiefs were holding out for £100m-plus for their prize asset in the recently-shut summer window.

That put off buyers, with interested clubs led by Man United and Chelsea.

But Rice has rejected improved contract offers from West Ham and that will force the club to lower their asking price going into next year.

The midfield anchorman will have two years left on his current deal at the end of the season.

West Ham are likely to make fresh attempts to re-open contract talks, not least because it will protect the player’s market value.

But they are also planning for the future, and that means scouring the market for a potential replacement for the England international.

Targets are being drawn up with the capability of stepping into Rice’s shoes and bids are expected to be submitted.

The Londoners signed Alex Kral on a loan-to-buy deal during the summer from Spartak Moscow and they also have Tomas Soucek as Rice’s regular midfield partner.

But club captain Mark Noble has already announced he will retire at the end of the season, when there could be significant changes to the midfield.

In other news, Man City set sights on signing West Ham sensation as talks held.