West Ham have offered Rice a new contract, but it has been knocked back by the defender.
The Daily Mail claim West Ham United defender Declan Rice has decided to reject the Hammers’ improved contract offer, leaving his future in doubt at the London Stadium.
The 19-year-old starred for the Hammers during 2017-18 after breaking into the first team under Slaven Bilic and becoming a mainstay under recent manager David Moyes.
It remains to be seen what level of involvement he has under Manuel Pellegrini, but his future at West Ham may not even last that long after the former Chelsea trainee rejected the Hammers’ offer of an extension and a pay rise.
Believed to be earning £3,000 a week, Ireland international Rice has been offered a new £8,000-a-week deal, but the report claims Rice is not impressed with the ‘derisory’ offer. He believed his excellent campaign deserved more.
New signing Ryan Fredericks is also said to be earning a lot more, and that has frustrated Rice who is now set to enter the final year of his West Ham contract – and could see clubs become interested in his signature.
Rice made 32 appearances in all competitions last season, breaking into the side and becoming a crucial part of the Hammers’ defence towards the end of the season by starting the last eight league games.
Now, the Hammers must make a decision on whether to offer Rice a bigger pay cheque, or indeed cash in on their rising star.
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