Declan Rice reportedly wants £30k-a-week, West Ham would be foolish not to give in

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Rice reportedly rejected West Ham’s offer of a contract renewal.

The Guardian have claimed that Declan Rice has turned down West Ham United’s contract renewal offer of £15,000 a week, which has plunged the Hammers defender’s future into doubt.

The 19-year-old was a rare positive from a disappointing campaign that saw pre-season expectations of a top-half finish fizzle out into a fight against relegation. The Hammers eventually finished in 13th place.

Rice broke into the first team under Slaven Bilic, before becoming a mainstay under David Moyes that saw him start the Hammers last eight league games in central defence.

Ireland international Rice has a year left on his current deal at the London Stadium, but the report claims the defender is looking for a contract around the £30,000-a-week mark if he is to stay.

Arguably one of the club’s best defenders, Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna both earn £70,000 a week (Spotrac) and Rice is asking for less than half of that figure.

The Hammers can surely afford Rice’s demands of £30,000 a week, with the board reportedly set to hand new manager Manuel Pellegrini a huge £75million transfer budget.

Surely, then, Pellegrini’s side would be foolish not to give in to Rice’s demands as he quickly develops a reputation as one of the Premier League’s best teenage stars.