West Ham United author Daniel Hurley is sure Declan Rice will leave the club in the near future – but the World Cup has added another £10-20m to his price tag.
Rice started all five of England’s World Cup games as his reliable performances in front of the defence helped the Three Lions reach the quarter-finals.
The 23-year-old has made himself irreplaceable in Gareth Southgate’s side as he racked up his 39th England cap just three years after making his debut.
West Ham’s skipper is continuously linked with a move away to an elite Premier League side but so far the Hammers’ asking price has warned off any potential suitors.
Whilst it’s inevitable that Rice will leave east London, Hurley claimed on The West Ham Way’s Patreon page that his performance on the world stage will have increased his value for when they cash the chips in on their captain.
He said: “World-class against France. World-class through the tournament. World-class, full stop.
“He’s leaving, we all know he is, (and we knew it before that interview which I’ll cover in a bit), but this World Cup has probably made us an additional £10m-£20m when we cash in on the midfielder, who I personally now see as the best player I’ve seen wear our colours in my lifetime.”
TIF Thoughts on Hurley’s comments…
Rice is undoubtedly West Ham’s most important player and his performances now on the world stage along with his Premier League displays are certainly bringing him into the world-class bracket.
While the midfielder previously had a £100m price tag slapped on him with interest from both Manchester clubs according to the Daily Mail, a deal never happened in the summer and Rice stayed put, with United and City feeling the valuation was too high as they secured alternative targets.
When next summer rolls around again a host of clubs will reappear for the 23-year-old and the Irons will have their bargaining positioning of his performances in Qatar, but with his contract coming to an end in 2024, that bargaining position will quickly become weaker if they don’t cash in soon.
Talisman Callum Wilson has been persistently hampered by fitness issues throughout his career, while third-choice centre-forward Chris Wood has been linked with a move to Leeds United.
With uncertainty surrounding the position, speaking on the True Faith podcast, Hope has now said: “This was mentioned to me today – I wouldn’t be surprised if a striker as well was on the agenda as a third option for a long-term replacement for that spot Chris Wood currently occupies.
“Now, the position Newcastle are in, you wouldn’t want them to go out and sign another Chris Wood-type. It would have to be someone who is as good as, if not better than Callum Wilson – and Alexander Isak, otherwise what’s the point? You know, Kevin Keegan’s old adage, ‘buy better’.
“So that was really interesting because I would have thought January wasn’t really a month for a striker. That conversation I had today also raises one or two further little concerns and question marks around Alexander Isak.”
TIF Thoughts on Hope’s comments…
Despite ChronicleLive playing down reports linking Wood with a St James’ Park exit, we feel that the Tynesiders would be as well to cut their losses on the striker.
He signed for £25m from Burnley just last January but has scored only four goals in 33 games for the club.
His departure could help fund a move for a more mobile attacker to arrive in the north-east, but it will be interesting to see if the New Zealander is still in black and white come February.
