West Ham boss David Moyes fuels Declan Rice transfer speculation

West Ham United manager David Moyes has conceded Declan Rice could leave the London Stadium in the summer transfer window.

Only days after it was reported that the Hammers could have to consider a player plus cash deal for their star midfielder, Moyes has poured more fuel on the fire.

“We honestly hope he stays,” he said, as relayed by The Athletic.

“We’d love for him to be a West Ham player, but we are aware that might not be the case at the end of the season.

“So that’s one of the scenarios around planning. There are plans that we have Dec here, but we’re also fully aware there is a good chance we won’t have him.”

The 24-year-old is already a senior Premier League star and an established member of the England national team.

Despite his relatively young age, the deep-lying playmaker captains an experienced West Ham side after Mark Noble’s retirement, which probably speaks enough of his household status in London.

However, it’s been a woeful domestic season for the Hammers, as they were on the brink of relegation until not long ago before a decent run of form helped them get out of trouble.

With three games left, Moyes’ men are seven points clear of the red zone and could still avoid a trophyless season after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final tie on Thursday.

Ending the club’s exhausting title drought on the European stage could be a perfect parting gift for Rice, who has attracted interest from Arsenal and both Manchester clubs.

Since he only has one year left to run on his current deal at West Ham, the club may have no other choice but to listen to offers for their prized asset in the summer.

Rice won’t leave cheap, with the Irons slapping a huge £120 million price tag on his head in anticipation of a bidding war.

After making 240 appearances for West Ham since his debut in 2017, the highly-rated midfielder seems ready to open a new chapter in his ever-growing career.