Rice delay as he Irons out a deal

WEST HAM are confident of tying Declan Rice down to a new deal.

The Hammers remain in talks over an improved contract with Rice (above) and are optimistic they will end with the 19-year-old extending his stay at the London Stadium.

The versatile player was offered a lucrative deal to end the stand-off, which would have increased from £3,000 to £15,000 per week.

That would rise to £20,000 a week once he makes 15 Premier League starts. There is also thought to be a £20,000-per-Premier League start clause in the deal.

But Rice’s camp are holding out for £30,000 per week, with almost three years left on his current deal.

Rice – who is set to feature against Macclesfield – wants to sign a new deal to extend his stay at the club he joined after his release from Chelsea.

But the time it has taken to reach an agreement has sparked fears that he could be prised away.