OPINION
It seems inevitable that West Ham’s Declan Rice will be playing for one of the big boys of the Premier League in the future – the question is just a matter of when?
A revelation in the middle of the park this season, the 20-year-old has taken the division by storm, not only impressing for his club but making the step up to represent his country in his first full campaign as a senior professional.
It is no wonder that there is plenty of speculation over the youngster’s future but while fans might be delighted to hear that a rival of theirs is cooling their interest, London Stadium chief David Gold, who is the face of the club’s board and deals with the footballing aspects of the Irons, must be gutted.
Teamtalk claim that Manchester City are looking to pull out of the battle with city rivals Manchester United as they both chase his capture, the Premier League champions not willing to get involved in an auction for Rice’s signature and thus instead chasing Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez.
It is stated that City believe any fee for Rice could exceed £65million – the price they believe the Spanish international would be available at – and as such are willing to let their rivals splash the cash instead.
Now this will be seen as good news by many of a Hammers persuasion but the fact of the matter is that lots of interest does one of two things – drives up the price or leaves a deal on ice as people look elsewhere.
Keeping City in the hunt would have given Gold, a wily businessman, the chance to play the clubs off against one another and either get an astronomical price for Rice or keep him on board at West Ham.
Instead, it looks as though he has lost a potential buyer – which could make it easier for others to pounce.
