Declan Rice and Issa Diop will both still be West Ham players next season, according to reliable source ExWHUemployee.
Both young talents shone for the Hammers last season, leading to speculation that Manchester United could swoop for them this summer.
United were first line with a move for Rice, as reported by the Independent, before news broke of their potential interest in defender Diop on Saturday, as reported by Sky Sports.
But both are expected to stay put, according to ExWHUemployee.
Writing on Twitter, they said: “I think there will be lots of reports of their interest but I expect both will be our players come the start of the season.”
I think there will be lots of reports of their interest but I expect both will be our players come the start of the season https://t.co/YZBPofWIrI
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) June 17, 2019
OPINION
This will be music to the ears of West Ham fans. Along with Lukasz Fabianski, it is arguable that Rice and Diop were some of Hammers’ standout performers last season, and it would be an absolute disaster for them to leave this summer. Aside from the impact they have already had, they both promise to get better and better, and it’s dizzying to think about just how good they could be in a year or two. If the pair continue on this trajectory, they will both be worth a small fortune. Whether they stay at the club and utilise that talent, or whether they are moved on to help fund more transfer activity, they will no doubt be incredibly valuable assets for the Irons. Letting them go now would be a disaster, so it will be a real relief to hear assurances from such an in the know reliable source.
