West Ham’s Michail Antonio refuses to be drawn on future of Chelsea and Manchester United target Declan Rice
Posted by  badge Boss on May 15, 2022 - 08:31PM
Declan Rice could be available this summer (Picture: Getty)

’s Michail Antonio has remained tight-lipped regarding the possible departure of Chelsea and Manchester United target .

Rice, 23, has just two years left on his contract and has rejected the Hammers’ offer of an eight-year extension which would boost his wages to £200,000-a-week.

and have both been linked with a move for Rice this summer with the Premier League giants in need of a top quality central-midfielder.

This week, his teammate Antonio was asked if he has tried to make Rice stay at West Ham but the Jamaican international refused to be drawn on the topic.

Speaking to , he said: ‘Dec has not even touched his best yet. He is unbelievable. What I see every day in training, he’s got so much more to do, got so much more to learn.

‘But what he’s doing right now, he’s up there with one of the best in the Premier League already.

Rice played a significant role in West Ham’s Europa League run this season (Picture: Getty)

‘Whatever Dec wants to do, I’ll be happy for him. I love him as a player. I love him as a person. So his decision is his at the end of the day.’

Since breaking into West Ham’s first-team, Rice has played a huge part in the east London’s club’s rise which culminated in a Europa League semi-final appearance this season.

As a result, interest in the midfielder has grown but West Ham have been able to hold on to their star man up until now.

However, failure in their attempts to extend his contract will concern the Hammers who are reluctant to let Rice edge towards the final year of his deal as it will decrease his value.

A price of £100m has reportedly been put on Rice but, earlier this season, West Ham manager David Moyes suggested he could be worth as much as £150m.

It is believed Rice wants to play Champions League football and will find it hard to turn down a move to a side which will help him achieve that ambition.

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