West Ham will offer reported Liverpool target Declan Rice to the market on a £100m ‘take it or leave it’ basis.
Rice has been tentatively linked with a move to Anfield as part of Liverpool’s midfield revamp this summer. But as per the latest report from 90min, it really doesn’t look like happening.
That’s because West Ham are said to have put a nine-figure valuation on Rice. And they won’t accept anything less. 90min claim that the Hammers have ‘no intention of compromising’ on what they see as a fair price for their captain.
For that money, Liverpool aren’t named as being one of Rice’s suitors. Bayern Munich are, but reportedly don’t see the 24-year-old as a top target. Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle and Manchester United are also said to be in the mix.
At £100m though, it’s difficult really to see anyone taking West Ham up on that. Clubs may simply bide their time until Rice has just a year left on his contract next summer. Then again, knowing the way some of these teams value their players, they’ll still want £100m for him then.
Rice not worth the money
Declan Rice is a very good footballer. There was a time where we couldn’t see that especially well, but he’s come on leaps and bounds this season.
Now a captain and leader and West Ham, he’s grown into an all-round midfielder who looks set to play at the top level.
But £100m? We’re not sure, you know. Yes, he’s a 40-cap England international and has proven time and time again that he can do it against the best in the Premier League. But £100m? For that kind of money you need to be a game-changer.
It’s true that Jack Grealish has already proven that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case, especially for a club like City. But for most of the clubs mentioned – and certainly for Liverpool – a £100m signing has to be the main man.
As good as Rice possibly is, we don’t think he goes in and does that at any top Premier League or European side.
West Ham fans will definitely disagree, but then, they’re biased in this one. Roy Keane has been critical of Rice’s performances as the Hammers have languished in the bottom half of the bottom half all season long. We’d be minded to agree.
With Liverpool seemingly out of the race for Rice’s good mate Mason Mount, his price-tag looks set to make him another one to cross off the list. And with good reason. £100m, no thank you.