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Declan Rice: West Ham chairman David Sullivan says 'we promised him he could go'

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'I'll give everything' until I leave West Ham - Declan Rice

Chairman David Sullivan says captain Declan Rice has probably played his last game for West Ham after being "promised" he could leave this summer.

The 24-year-old England midfielder has been heavily linked with a move away from London Stadium.

Asked if Wednesday's Europa Conference League triumph over Fiorentina was Rice's last appearance, Sullivan told Talksport: "I think it has to be.

"We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going."

On Wednesday Rice became only the third West Ham captain to lift a trophy for the club, following in the footsteps of the great Bobby Moore, who lifted the Cup Winners' Cup in 1965, and club legend Billy Bonds, who led the Hammers to the FA Cup in 1975 and 1980.

Rice has played 245 games and scored 15 goals for West Ham, having made his debut in the 2016-17 season after coming through the academy.

He represented the Republic of Ireland three times before switching his international allegiance to England, for whom he has been capped 41 times, playing in all five matches at the World Cup last year.

Rice has one year left on his contract, although West have the option to extend that until the summer of 2025, leaving them in a strong position to negotiate a substantial transfer fee.

"You can't ask for a man who has committed more to us this season," Sullivan said.

"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 £10m 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. The offers will start to come today.

"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."

Former West Ham defender Julian Dicks, part of the coaching staff during Rice's breakthrough season, said his departure would leave a void in midfield.

"He very rarely gives the ball away. That's great for a midfield player. He's an asset to any club and West Ham will miss him," Dicks told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Players want to win trophies. It can't be about money, as they earn enough. I can't blame Dec for wanting to go and win trophies. If West Ham were winning trophies every other season, I'm sure he would stay."

West Ham legend Trevor Brooking told 5 Live: "Rice has been a leader and driven people on.

"[The] general feeling is he will move on, but what a way. He could have left earlier but, with the way it has ended, he couldn't have asked for any more.

"When somebody leaves a club like that you usually think fans wont be happy, but he is such a credit to the club. We will wish him all the best."

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489 comments

  • Comment posted by pemby5, today at 10:53

    That’s how it should be.
    Thank you for the opportunity
    Thank you for your contribution to the club.

    It’s still a job at the end of the day, and it’s possible to leave on good terms.

    • Reply posted by Scunner, today at 10:59

      Scunner replied:
      Nice to read a sensible comment.

  • Comment posted by mrlondon_ncb, today at 10:59

    Rice has something rare in the modern game, integrity and class.

    It will kill me to see him wear another badge next season but he has given his all for West Ham and not a single one of us would deny him the opportunity to go on and lift bigger trophies with other clubs.

    Thank you for the past 10 years and go with our blessing Dec.

    • Reply posted by Nicky, today at 11:06

      Nicky replied:
      Class comment! Class player! Kids want a role model, this is your man. Surely England Captain on the horizon

  • Comment posted by AstonAlex, today at 10:58

    Levy could learn from Sullivan that a man should keep his promises - he might even find that his players respect that attitude and will sign for him.

    • Reply posted by red on my sleeve , today at 11:10

      red on my sleeve replied:
      Declan Rice is Fraud!
      rather Calciedo all day!.

  • Comment posted by lewis, today at 10:52

    Refreshing to hear a bit of honesty from a chairman. What a way to sign off by lifting a European trophy!

    • Reply posted by So dew, today at 11:04

      So dew replied:
      It’s got hee haw to do with him ? Player power ( plus agent ) calls the shots these days.

  • Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, today at 11:05

    Good luck and congratulations to Declan Rice, David Moyes and West Ham well done from a slightly jealous Leeds fan. If anyone deserves a chance to win more Rice and Moyes do and the club is being honourable. ✊

    • Reply posted by Dad, today at 11:22

      Dad replied:
      Manchester City fan...always happy when west ham do well.
      Big trophy won.
      But losing a top player .

  • Comment posted by PaperBrick, today at 10:59

    That's fairness from the chairman, his promise means something unlike Daniel Levy's promises.

    • Reply posted by Jack Dominiak, today at 11:16

      Jack Dominiak replied:
      Promising a player he can leave and then asking for a £110 mil, plus his wages, which will be a minimum £300/350k a week for a player that is worth £70 mil max, is just smoke & mirrors, not keeping a promise

  • Comment posted by Pete Shields, today at 11:03

    I am a Geordie who has always supported Newcastle United but as a small boy I was a huge Bobby Moore fan so I have also been a life long fan of West Ham. Declan Rice would grace any football club. A great player, a great captain and a wonderful human being. I would love to see him at Newcastle but I wish him luck and happiness wherever he goes. In my opinion, he should be England Captain.

    • Reply posted by Andrew, today at 11:17

      Andrew replied:
      Us fans at West Ham know he will be England captain once the Harry Kane era ends...

  • Comment posted by Pork bellies i knew it, today at 11:14

    I'm sure Uniteds crack negotiating team can leave it until 10.59pm on Sept 11 and then pay twice the asking price.

    • Reply posted by margaret, today at 12:09

      margaret replied:
      We’re just double checking this comment.

  • Comment posted by Rich-D, today at 10:52

    He's got Arsenal written all over him. Not sure any of the others have quite as strong a need for that type of player........although Chelsea
    have a need for everyone apparently

    • Reply posted by Owly, today at 10:54

      Owly replied:
      Why would he want to leave a European trophy winning team to join the serial bottlers ?

  • Comment posted by BBCaregutterPress, today at 10:55

    Winning a trophy as west ham captain is massive

    Harry Kane eat your heart out

    • Reply posted by ThaiTim, today at 10:56

      ThaiTim replied:
      The Audi Cup doesn't count?

  • Comment posted by Joe, today at 10:59

    Some saying refreshing honesty from the Chairman. I don't think anyone is under the illusion that Rice has his sights set higher.

    In fairness to him, he's been nothing but professional and even after the game pointed to having a contract.

    Never have any sympathy for wantaway players who've signed up on a long term basis.

    (same goes when clubs want rid of a player they've tied up long term)

  • Comment posted by chris, today at 10:57

    Declan gave a very “Straight bat “ interview after the game last night, said he was still under contract. What happens if Whu don’t receive a bid that matches their valuation, does he stay?

    • Reply posted by andy3846, today at 11:01

      andy3846 replied:
      Clearly... He can't just walk out.