West Ham United defender Declan Rice has declined a new contract offer from the club, according to the Sky Sports Transfer Talk Podcast.
Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge revealed on the podcast (20:20) that homegrown defender Rice has declined The Hammers’ first offer of a new contract at the club.
“They remain in talks to give him a new contract, which is great news for him,” said Bridge.
“We understand that Rice has turned down the club’s first offer of a new deal.”
The journalist also revealed that the defender has got one year left on his current contract and that Manuel Pellegrini’s side do have the option to extend the 19-year-old contract by a further year if they wish.
“He’s got one year remaining on his current contract, but West Ham do they have the option to extend his existing deal by a further year.”
OPINION
It is absolutely outrageous that West Ham have let it get to this stage in the negotiations for Declan Rice’s contract. With all the big-money arrivals at The London Stadium, probably on huge wages too, it is disgusting that the club can’t offer one of their most promising young players in years a decent contract. For him to decline the club’s offer is a massive statement, if the club and the player were negotiating and talking, they should be able to come to a reasonable agreement without having to decline anything. The fact that Rice has had to decline an offer shows just how unhappy he is and how poorly the club are acting in negotiations. The 19-year-old is a homegrown talent and a fan favourite, if he was to leave because the club were trying to save a bit of money in contract negotiations, there will be uproar. This needs to be sorted as quickly as possible, or things could get out of hand.
