West Ham have accepted that the club will ‘have to sell’ Declan Rice next year, but are determined to keep hold of the midfielder this summer.
Rice has turned down a third contract offer from West Ham as attempts to secure the 23-year-old’s long-term future have failed, with the England international having been an integral part of the club’s improvement under David Moyes.
The Hammers are competing for a top-six finish in the Premier League and are into the Europa League semi-finals, where the Moyes’ side will face Eintracht Frankfurt in their first leg on Thursday.
West Ham had hoped their progress and the prospect of both silverware and Champions League qualification could persuade Rice to commit to a new deal, but he has turned down their latest offer.
Rice has made clear his determination to win major trophies and play Champions League football and the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea having been linked with his signature.
The Athletic are reporting that West Ham have now conceded that the club will have to sell Rice in 2023, at which point the star will have two years remaining on his contract at the London Stadium.
West Ham are determined to keep hold of the midfielder for a further season before considering approaches next summer, but will demand a British transfer record fee of around £150m for his services with the hope that Rice’s value will continue to increase with a successful World Cup with England in Qatar.
