West Ham 'aiming high' as major nine-figure claim emerges

West Ham United have put a huge price tag on Declan Rice as they are intending to deter any potential suitors who are mulling over whether to make a bid to lure the midfielder away from the London Stadium, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Having joined the Hammers after his release from London rivals Chelsea at the age of 14, Rice has gone on to become one of the first names on the team-sheet for West Ham boss David Moyes.

According to the Daily Mail, West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan have slapped a £150million price tag on Rice as they prepare for admirers to strengthen their interest when the transfer window reopens in the summer.

The report suggests Manchester United have moved to the front of the queue to sign the 23-year-old if he is to move onto pastures new as Chelsea, who are eager to seal Rice’s return to Stamford Bridge, are unable to stump up the cash following the sanctioning of owner Roman Abramovich due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Despite the uncertainty over what the future holds for Chelsea, who are currently in the process of changing ownership, the Evening Standard have claimed Rice would still prefer to head across London to join the Blues.

Rice’s £62,000-per-week contract is scheduled to expire in the summer of 2024, but West Ham also hold the option to extend the agreement by 12 months, meaning they are in the driving seat when it comes to transfer negotiations and have no need to dramatically drop their asking price.

That is despite the England international rejecting two offers of a new deal last summer and revealing that he has an urgent desire to play in the Champions League.

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