‘We promised him he could go… his heart is set’: £100m Declan Rice has played his last game for West Ham, owner David Sullivan confirms, as he expects bids TODAY after captain turned down £200k-per-week offer
West Ham chairman David Sullivan has confirmed Declan Rice will be allowed to leave the club during the summer window.
Sullivan’s admission came just hours after Mail Sport revealed Arsenal are aiming to swiftly conclude a £90million deal for the 24-year-old England star.
Rice’s future has been the subject of much debate in recent weeks and the West Ham midfielder has also attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
The Hammers had not publicly commented on their prized asset until their season had come to a triumphant end after they beat Fiorentina to win the Europa Conference League.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Thursday, Sullivan said: ‘I think it has to be [his last game]. We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.
Declan Rice has been told by West Ham that he will be allowed to leave the club in summer
David Sullivan (right) revealed that Rice had turned down a new deal at the London Stadium just 18 months ago
‘You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements.
‘It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down.
‘It’s cost him £10million to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.’
Arsenal have been leading the chase for Rice’s signature and it is thought he prefers to stay in England rather than move abroad.
‘I think the offers will start to come today,’ Sullivan added. ‘There are three or four clubs who have shown interest, but out of respect to West Ham, while we’re still playing, you don’t make offers for players.
‘That’s not the way decent clubs do things.’
Mail Sport also revealed that the Hammers want the guaranteed portion of Rice’s transfer fee paid by next summer.
Rice distanced himself from a move away from West Ham when asked about his future after he helped seal Europa Conference League glory for the Hammers.
‘It’s flattering to be wanted by a lot of clubs but the badge on my chest tonight is West Ham,’ said Rice.
Mikel Arteta (left) and Thomas Tuchel (right) are both keen on signing the England midfielder
Rice and club legend Mark Noble (left) stand with the Europa Conference League trophy after West Ham’s 2-1 Europa Conference League win over Fiorentina on Wednesday
‘I’ve got two years left on my contract and ultimately it’s up to the people above. Until the day I walk out of this club I’ll give absolutely everything and I’ll wear my heart on my sleeve for this badge.’
The West Ham captain was speaking after their triumph over Fiorentina, which sparked crazy celebrations in Prague that went on throughout the night.
‘The last two or three years it’s been non-stop about me. To read it myself is actually getting quite boring. I see it all the time, but I can’t help that, it comes with playing football every day and doing what I do,’ he said.
‘I genuinely don’t know what’s happening at the minute, that’s my honest answer. I’ve completely blocked away from the whole situation because it would be totally wrong.
The West Ham captain was spotted strolling the streets of Prague at 4am after their final win
‘My focus tonight, and it has been since the World Cup, was to win this trophy and keep West Ham in the Premier League. We’ve done that so I’m going to enjoy tonight.’
Rice was among the West Ham stars spotted on the streets of Prague in the early hours of Thursday morning as the players and staff celebrated winning their first major trophy for 43 years.
Rice is understood to be settled in London, which could give the Gunners an advantage over Man United, who are also interested.
Nevertheless, United’s emergence as rivals for Rice could yet scupper Arsenal’s hopes.
However, the Old Trafford club are working with a limited transfer kitty this summer and are already set to commit at least £55million of their budget to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea.
The midfielder won the first trophy of his senior career in his final game for the Hammers
