West Ham defender Declan Rice’s contract talks with the club are currently at a standstill while he considers his international future, according to Claret & Hugh.
The dedicated Hammers website claim that the club are not panicking over getting the 19-year-old to sign a new deal despite there having been no discussions about his potential new contract in recent weeks.
Claret & Hugh report that contract stand-offs are normal and that until Rice sorts out his international future then talks in order to agree on what wage to pay him are on hold.
It is believed that the defender’s advisers are trying to get him a new deal that earns £30,000-a-week while the Hammers want to pay him £18,000-a-week and include appearance clauses that could see him earn his desired salary.
OPINION
It’s no surprise that the Hammers aren’t sweating over securing Rice’s long-term future at this stage as they have no reason to panic. The 19-year-old’s current deal may end in the summer but as Claret & Hugh points out there is a clause the Hammers can activate in order to automatically add a further 12 months to his deal. Also given that Rice has always appeared to give his all when appearing for the London club, it is hard to imagine him openly wanting to leave anytime soon. The centre-back has been handed regular opportunities in the first-team for the Hammers since last season and while he may not be a guaranteed starter under Manuel Pellegrini, it’s hard to see the manager not utilising his talents. Hopefully Rice sorts out his international future soon though, with him currently choosing between representing England and Republic of Ireland as while the Hammers don’t need to rush, it is better that his future is secured as soon as possible.
