WEST HAM are reportedly considering slashing their asking price for Chelsea transfer target Declan Rice.
According to the Guardian, Hammers bigwigs could be willing to sell the England international for £50million at the end of the season.
Declan Rice is under contract at West Ham until the summer of 2024Credit: PA:Press Association
The potential new fee is £30MILLION less than the asking price just last summer.
It is claimed that West Ham are thinking of slashing their players’ valuations due to the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis.
Chelsea released Rice at the age of 14 but want him back to solve their issues in defence.
He has starred in midfield for West Ham, however, and could see that as his long-term position.
Liverpool and Manchester City are also said to be sniffing around the England international.
Rice is under contract at the London Stadium until the summer of 2024, with the club holding an option for a further season.
The 22-year-old has established himself as an integral figure for West Ham since his debut in May 2017.
He is also club-captain-in-waiting having skippered the side when Mark Noble does not make the XI.
West Ham boss David Moyes has issued a hands-off warning to Rice’s suitors.
Speaking earlier this month, he said: “He’s doing great for us, he’s a big leader now, he’s taken a lot of the weight off Mark Noble. He’s turning out to be a really good player but also a really good boy and good around the club.”
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And former West Ham striker Tony Cottee believes his old club would be foolish not to offer Rice a bumper contract extension.
Speaking to SunSport earlier this month, he said: “I know he signed a five-year deal not so long ago but get him tied down and up there with the bigger earners and make him a bedrock of the future team.
“We all know other teams are interested. West Ham should be acting to secure Declan, so he is not allowed to drift into the last two years of his contract and possibly leave on a free transfer.”
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Declan Rice scores a phenomenal goal across the pitch for a challenge
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
