Jay Bothroyd has stated on Twitter that Arsenal transfer target Declan Rice will be sold by West Ham United ‘for £70 million’ during the summer transfer target.
The former Arsenal academy product was responding to a question ‘how much is Declan Rice worth?’ ahead of his possible exit in the summer.
Given that Rice will have 12 months left to run in his contract in July, then it puts the Hammers on the back foot when trying to get as much money as they want for their star player.
David Moyes previously claimed that, if West Ham sell their club captain, then he will fetch a price more than the £107 million Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez.
But, for Jay Bothroyd, if West Ham act in that manner, then he thinks Rice and his agent will ‘threaten to leave for free’, so they might just have to accept a lower fee, which would suit Arsenal.
“Not with a year left on his contract,” said Bothroyd about Rice being worth a possible £100 million. “His agent will threaten to leave on a free. £70 million will do the trick, sorry to say, bro.”
IS RICE WORTH IT?
Not many will doubt that Rice is ready for the step up in his career and to play for a team in the Champions League.
The issue some have, and it was highlighted by Paul Scholes, is that the 24-year-old isn’t worth the £100 million+ that is been spoken about him.
There’s no doubting Arsenal’s interest in the player, it’s just a case of whether or not they would be willing to throw record amounts at the player – the club itself think he is a ‘real leader’.
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