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Declan Rice, a target for Arsenal and Manchester United, has been granted permission to leave the Hammers after chairman David Sullivan announced his ‘commitment’.
Declan Rice has played his final game for West Ham, according to chairman David Sullivan.
After hoisting the Europa Conference League title in his farewell appearance on Wednesday, the Hammers skipper will depart the club this summer.
According to talkSPORT, Arsenal are ahead of Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the hunt to recruit the 24-year-old.
When asked if the historic win against Fiorentina was Rice’s final game in a West Ham shirt, Sullivan replied: “I think it has to be.”
“We told him he could go. He made up his mind to go.
“You couldn’t ask for a more committed man to us this season.”
After West Ham’s season ends on Thursday, Arsenal is poised to make a bid for Rice.
Declan Rice wins the UEFA Conference League and is leaving the Hammers
Rice wants to join Arsenal, but the Hammers might demand up to £120 million.
Rice has a year left on his current deal with an option for another.
Sullivan formally opened the bidding on Thursday, having accepted Rice’s future lies elsewhere.
“No,” Sullivan answered when asked if the Hammers had received an offer. But I believe the offers will begin to arrive today.
“Three or four clubs have expressed interest, but you don’t make offers for players while we’re still playing, out of respect for West Ham.”
“That’s not the way decent clubs do things.”
“Eventually, he’ll have to get on, and we’ll have to find a replacement – or several replacements.”
“We don’t want this to happen.” We made him an offer of £200,000 per week 18 months ago. He declined it.
“It’s cost him £10 million in lost wages to stay at West Ham during that time.” And he wants to go.
“You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.”
Rice made over 200 Premier League games for West Ham after joining the club in 2014 from Chelsea’s youth system.
He joined Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds as the third captain in the club’s 128-year history to win a major title.
Rice declined to confirm a summer exit following the 2-1 win in Prague on Wednesday.
“It’s not goodbye yet,” he explained. Right now, there’s a lot of conjecture regarding my future.
“There is interest from other clubs, and it exists, but ultimately, I have two years left at West Ham (plus a one-year option).”
“There hasn’t been anything (offers) yet.” Who knows, let’s wait and see.
“I enjoy every minute of it here, as evidenced by the smile on my face.” Tonight isn’t about that; it’s about celebration, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
