HAMMERS RUN A RISK ON RICE
Teenage star snubs £12k-a-week offer ... so will club up the ante?
WEST HAM risk losing young star Declan Rice in a pay row. Rice earns just £3,000 a week in a deal that runs until the summer of 2020. West Ham are prepared to increase his wages to £12,000 but the player and his advisers consider that a derisory offer, and it is something they are not even prepared to discuss.
As things stand, West Ham are refusing to budge on their offer, sparking concern that the club risk losing the hugely gifted 19-year- old, who has been outstanding in the last two games against Everton and Chelsea.
There is said to be genuine interest in the player from top Premier League clubs.
According to West Ham’s veteran defender Pablo Zabaleta, Rice could become a West Ham legend and the former Manchester City star has urged the club to secure the teenager’s long-term future as a matter of priority.
‘He has the right ability and attitude to become one of the greatest players for West Ham,’ said Zabaleta.
‘I think he is on the last year of his contract, or something like that, so West Ham need to think about his situation, because even though he is young he looks so mature and he is proving week in, week out, that he can perform for the team.’
Rice is playing in central midfield for the Hammers, with Manuel Pellegrini’s faith in the youngster underlining his growing reputation.
But he is just as adept at Wage gap: Rice is earning £3k a week at West Ham playing in central defence, and his versatility is another attractive attribute.
Rice also has a huge decision to make next week on his international future, as both England and the Republic of Ireland are keen on his services.
He has played three times for the Republic, but is yet to play a competitive fixture, meaning he is still eligible for England. He has also played regularly through the junior age groups for Ireland.
Rice, who speaks with a London accent, qualifies for the Republic through his grandparents, but was born in the English capital to English parents.
He grew up in Kingston, Surrey, and joined Chelsea’s academy as a seven-year-old, moving to West Ham at 14 after being released by the Blues.
Rice’s advisors insist that he is yet to make any decision but Sportsmail sources say he is leaning towards playing for Gareth Southgate’s side.
England’s interest comes as no surprise given Rice’s standing as one of the Premier League’s emerging talents.
It remains unclear how quickly Southgate would draft him into the senior England squad. The manager names his party to face Croatia and Spain a week on Thursday, though the FA would be required to ratify the move with FIFA before Rice is eligible to become an England player.
He is eligible to play for England’s Under 21s.