Fabrizio Romano reveals what he has been 'told' amid Rice contract reports

The news broke yesterday that the Hammers had proposed a huge long-term deal to the midfielder in order to stave off interest from elsewhere.

Last month 90min reported that Manchester United were prepared to smash their transfer record to land the midfielder while it is thought the 23-year-old would prefer a return to his boyhood club, Chelsea, who are also plotting a bid.  

GSB’s attempts to tie the £62k-per-week star down to a new deal were turned down twice last summer but Romano was oblivious to reports of the latest rumoured attempt.

When asked about the midfielder’s future at the London Stadium on Gazzetta Dello FIVE he said:

“What I’m told is that the last proposal was a few weeks ago and was turned down by Declan Rice. And at the moment on the player’s side it’s not something serious with West Ham to extend the contract. He’s happy with the contract he has right now.

“So it is a contract until 2024 with an option to extend until 2025 so this is why West Ham are pretty relaxed about the situation of Delcan Rice.” 

TIF Thoughts on Rice and West Ham…

Rice has previously told ESPN that he as an ‘urgent’ desire to play Champions League football ‘as soon as possible’ and that won’t be possible at the London Stadium next season which could hinder their hopes of hanging onto their star man. 

The Irons were knocked out of the Europa League at the semi-final stage which was their most viable route to Europe’s top table with just one win in five Premier League games reducing them to seventh in the standings.

Manager David Moyes has declared before that it would take at least £150m to lure the England international away from the London Stadium but with his contract not up until 2024 and with the option of a further 12-months