West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has delivered his thoughts on the future of midfielder Declan Rice ahead of the summer transfer window.
Rice has been the subject of recent speculation over his future, after having an impressive season at the heart of West Ham’s midfield which saw him named the club’s Young Player of the Year, with Manchester United thought to be interested according to the Mirror.
Pellegrini has now suggested that Rice’s future could depend on whether one of the biggest teams in the country decide to offer a large amount of money for the England international.
“In that case (of interest from teams) as always it’s just a matter of price. Maybe the big teams decide to pay an important amount of money. If it’s a good deal for the club and it’s a good deal for the player and he improves with his career, they can do it,” Pellegrini told Sky Sports.
OPINION
West Ham supporters will be hoping that the club are able to keep hold of Rice this summer, with the England international establishing himself as a key part of Pellegribi’s side this season. Rice is the sort of young player who the Hammers should be aiming to build their side around for the next few years with the midfielder having come through the club’s youth academy, similar to Mark Noble who has gone to be a very reliable servant for the club since making his West Ham debut in the League Cup in 2004. West Ham fans will be hoping that they get the same sort of longevity out of Rice, but with other teams thought to be interested it could prove difficult for the Hammers to keep him at the club. However, West Ham need to show that they are not a club who are willing to sell their most important players, if they are going to progress to a higher level under Pellegrini. The revelation from the Chilean that the Hammers could sell Rice if someone offers a big transfer fee will be worrying for West Ham fans, but they will be hoping that the club do all they can to keep the midfielder this summer.
