Declan Rice will leave West Ham this summer, club chairman David Sullivan has confirmed.
The England midfielder, who is a target for Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Man Utd this summer, became only the third Hammers skipper to lift a trophy after victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.
However, Sullivan admitted a gentleman’s agreement – which Sky Sports News reported on last month – means they will allow a player who still has two years remaining on his contract to leave.
Image: Rice lifts the trophy after West Ham win the Europa Conference League
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Asked whether lifting the trophy in Prague was Rice’s last action as a West Ham player, Sullivan told talkSPORT: “I think it has to be. We promised him he could go.
“He set his heart on going and in due course he has to get on and we have to get a replacement.
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“It is not something we wanted to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago and he turned it down. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.
“I think the offers will start to come [on Thursday]. Three or four clubs have shown interest but out of respect to West Ham, while we’re still playing, you don’t make offers for players.”
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‘My future is up to the people above’
Image: Rice admitted he does not know whether he will still be at West Ham next season
Rice declared his love for West Ham following Wednesday night’s victory in Prague but admitted he does not know whether he will still be at the club next season.
Moyes said last month there is a chance Rice could leave while Sky Sports understands West Ham want £120m to part ways with their captain. An offer of £100m plus a player could also be accepted.
“I’ve still got two years left,” Rice told Sky Sports News.
“There’s so much speculation – I see it all the time – but I can’t help that. That comes with playing football every day and doing what I do.
“My focus, and it has been since the World Cup, is to win this trophy and keep West Ham in the Premier League.”
He added: “I genuinely don’t know what’s happening at the minute. That is my honest answer.
“To read it myself [the speculation], it’s actually getting quite boring. Who knows what is going to happen? It’s flattering to be wanted by a lot of clubs but the badge on my chest is West Ham.
“I’ve still got two years left on my contract and ultimately it is up to the people above.”
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‘Let’s wait and see’ – Rice unsure if he has played final game for West Ham
Image: David Moyes and Rice celebrate West Ham's Europa Conference League win
It could be a memorable way to sign off for Rice, with speculation rife he could leave the London Stadium this summer but with the legacy of becoming only the third captain, along with Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, to lift silverware in the club’s 128-year history.
The England midfielder has a year left on his contract, and West Ham hold the option of another.
Rice told BT Sport: “It’s not a goodbye yet. Look at the moment there’s a lot of speculation about my future.
“There is interest from other clubs, that’s out there, but ultimately I’ve still got two years left at West Ham.
“There hasn’t been nothing yet [offers]. Let’s wait and see, who knows.
“I love every minute of it here, you can see the smile on my face. It’s not about that [on Wednesday night], it’s about celebrating and that’s what I’m going to do now.”
On becoming the first West Ham player to lift a major trophy for 43 years, Rice added: “Honestly, it means absolutely everything.
“The lads have been so on it. We had a real belief, I’m not just happy for us, the manager, but these fans, the staff – no one knows the work they put in. The chefs, player liaisons, I’m just as happy for myself as I am for them. I’m so, so happy.”
He added to Sky Sports News: “To win this for this club is just another level. I don’t think it’s going to hit for me for a while but what we’ve done as a group is so special.
“I’m lost for words.
“When I started at West Ham 10 years ago I never thought I’d be captain of the club and then tonight, to go on and lift the trophy it’s another level now.”
'Rice can go to any club in the world'
Former West Ham striker Tony Cottee admits the club face a summer of big decisions, with the future of captain Rice up in the air.
“It’s a big summer for the club. I think everyone will have to take a deep breath and we have to see what happens,” Cottee told talkSPORT.
“I want Declan to stay and I think every single supporter wants him to stay but he will be sought after, he can go to any club in the world.
“The club will have to make a decision. Give him whatever he wants, a six, seven-year contract. He is up there with Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds as the only player to lift a trophy.”
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