The Hammers ace is 20 and contracted to the club until 2024. The reported low bid is just one of several reasons why it’s probably not happening.
Transfer speculation can range from the incredibly logical to the outlandish, and one recent report that has emerged very much falls into the latter.
According to the Daily Express, Tottenham Hotspur are planning a £35million raid for West Ham United defensive ace Declan Rice in the summer.
The report says Spurs are planning for the departure of Christian Eriksen, who is contracted until 2020 and has been heavily linked with Real Madrid, and the 20-year-old Hammer is on their radar as a replacement.
Given Rice’s versatility, having played both in midfield and in central defence, he could potentially also cover for fellow right-footer Toby Alderweireld, whose own future is in doubt beyond the end of the season.
As good as the youngster is, and he would undoubtedly do a good job for Spurs or any other top team, how likely is it to actually happen – and for the fee mentioned? Not very, in all honesty, beginning with the fact the Hammers aren’t particularly fond of Tottenham (Telegraph article explaining the rivalry).
In December, Rice signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract which keeps him tied to West Ham until 2024. That, plus his undisputable talent and young age – which means he has plenty of years to become even better than he already is – makes a £35million valuation seem a bit of a joke.
Next, wages. Rice is reported to currently be on £30,000 per week (The Sun), which means there is room for improvement there, and Spurs appear to have relaxed their wage ceiling, with Harry Kane on £200,000 per week and four other players on £100,000 or more per week (Spotrac).
So that’s one aspect where it’s not that implausible, and another is that Rice wouldn’t have to change city, but if the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United or some of the big continental sides come calling, with the prospect of even higher wages and better precedent in silverware, wouldn’t those clubs seem more worth leaving West Ham for?
To conclude, as a transfer rumour it seems a bit of a non-starter. West Ham probably wouldn’t sell to Spurs anyway, £35million bid for one of their key assets on a long-term deal probably wouldn’t be taken seriously, and if Rice progresses as he is expected, I’d expect teams with more financial muscle to join the race for his signature, which would be more appealing for the youngster.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
