West Ham: Pundit casts doubt on ‘big’ David Moyes claim after source’s Declan Rice update
West Ham will be unable to secure a British transfer record fee for Declan Rice in the summer.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the midfielder’s future.
On 4 February, sources told Football Insider that Newcastle are expected to be in the running to sign Rice if they finish the season in the top four.
The Irons star man, 24, is on the wish list of all the Premier League big hitters and there is set to be an extended battle to lure him over the coming months.
As quoted by BBC Sport (4 February), David Moyes has claimed Rice will command a British transfer record fee when he leaves West Ham.
Chelsea set a new record in January by spending £107million on Enzo Fernandez, however, McManus claims Rice’s contract situation will make this nearly impossible.
“It’s a big shout from Moyesy. Rice will only have a year on his contract next summer,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“So that would make it very hard for West Ham to demand anything close to £100million. Don’t get me wrong, he is worth it, he’s an unbelievable player.
“If you sign Rice and get him signed to a long-term contract then you’ll have one of the best midfielders in the world at your club for a long time.
“So you will have to pay top dollar. But Chelsea spent £107million on Fernandez, will Rice go for that much? I don’t think so.
“That’s purely because of his contract situation. If he starts next season at West Ham and plays a couple of games before the summer deadline day, then he could go for quite cheap on deadline day.
“If he stays until January then he could go for next to nothing.
“So I doubt any club will pay near £100million when a cheaper January deal remains a possibility.”
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