Report: Several clubs plotting January bids for West Ham’s Declan Rice

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West Ham United hope to agree a new contract with Declan Rice, but the talks are reportedly moving slowly and he is attracting attention.

West Ham are apparently miles away from agreeing a contract with Declan Rice as several sides eye potential January bids for the youngster, according to a report from The Sun on Sunday (23/09; page 61).

The Hammers remain in talks with the academy graduate over a new deal and have the opportunity to trigger an extension in the mean time ahead of the current contract’s expiration this summer. But they are apparently struggling to get fresh terms agreed.

The Sun on Sunday (23/09; page 61) suggests that they are some way from meeting the player’s demands with Rice currently earning well below the going rate for a player of his calibre and importance to the side.

And it appears that several teams are waiting in the wings to make a move for Rice should the Irons’ struggles continue. The report adds that West Ham can expect a number of bids during the upcoming window should the stalemate with Rice go on much longer.

Rice has shown with his most recent performance for Manuel Pellegrini’s men how much of a blow it would be for the Hammers to lose him at any stage in the future.

The 19-year-old was superb in a midfield role during the victory at Everton last weekend. And while it was only his second appearance of the campaign, it was a display that West Ham fans would not have been entirely surprised by given his quality.

The potential he has makes it almost baffling that West Ham are not willing to hand Rice the kind of contract that he is looking for. He could be their talisman in the future, and the Hammers can make a big statement now by getting terms agreed.

Rice will be hoping to prove once again why he deserves much better terms when West Ham host Chelsea at the London Stadium on Sunday.