Declan Rice transfer can leave everyone a winner – even West Ham

The conviction of David Moyes’ sales pitch is one of the lasting memories of the 2022-23 season.

“Undoubtedly he’s going to be a top player and undoubtedly he’ll be a British transfer record and more whenever he leaves the club,” the West Ham manager said in February when assessing Declan Rice’s performance in the 1-1 draw at Newcastle United.

Moyes had no doubts as to Rice’s status – 18 months previously, he had suggested it would take “Bank of England money” to secure the midfielder’s services. Now, others are finally waking up to his way of thinking.

It is no surprise West Ham have rejected two offers from Arsenal (a club-record proposal worth up to £90million comprising a £75m fee and £15m in add-ons) and an initial £80m ($102m) offer with an extra £10m in add-ons from Manchester City.

West Ham fans will take no pleasure in seeing Rice depart, but if he had to leave the club he has represented since joining them from Chelsea’s academy at the age of 14, this probably represents the best-case scenario.

The player has his pick between the teams that finished in last season’s top two – City, the treble winners under one of the greatest coaches in the game’s modern history; and Arsenal, the side that played such thrilling football in pushing them all the way last term, under their own inspirational manager in Mikel Arteta.

Mikel Arteta (right) with Declan Rice (Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images)

The club, meanwhile, can play hardball knowing they have an asset whose stock has spiked significantly since he lifted the Europa Conference League in Prague, West Ham’s first major trophy since 1980, despite the fact his current contract expires next year, with the option of a further 12 months.

Majority shareholder David Sullivan, vice-chair Karren Brady and other members of the board have no reason to sell on the cheap when you can earn in excess of £100m.

Even Moyes will be content, provided he is handed the money West Ham receive to allow him to reshape the squad and challenge once again for European qualification. The club have been linked with moves for Joao Palhinha of Fulham, Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes, Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott and Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.

Rice will comfortably surpass West Ham’s record incoming fee for a player, a title previously set when Marseille signed Dimitri Payet for £25million in 2017.

But reinvesting around £100million brings challenges. West Ham spent over £160million last summer on Lucas Paqueta, Alphonse Areola, Flynn Downes, Thilo Kehrer, Maxwel Cornet, Gianluca Scamacca, Nayef Aguerd and Emerson, recruits that yielded mixed results.

Lessons must be learned from those clubs that have gone before. Aston Villa, for example, got it right following Jack Grealish’s £100m switch to Manchester City in 2021; Spurs, however, got it wrong when they reinvested the £85.1m (then a world-record fee) they banked from selling Gareth Bale to Real Madrid in 2013. Of the seven players they signed that summer, only Christian Eriksen can be viewed as a success.

The Athletic has analysed why Rice is in demand and how he can improve Arsenal and City, but you have to go back to January to understand why West Ham’s hierarchy are insistent on holding out for a record fee.

When Chelsea signed Enzo Fernandez from Portuguese side Benfica for a British-record £106.8m, the midfielder had only made 113 career appearances. It was his performances in the 2022 World Cup for winners Argentina that saw his valuation soar.

Internally, West Ham believe they can break Fernandez’s record fee, with Rice being an England international and sought-after talent with much more experience than the Argentine had when he moved to Stamford Bridge.

(Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Rice, who made his league debut in May 2017, has made 245 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 15 goals during that time. He has also earned 43 caps for the national team since making his England debut in 2019.

“A lot’s been said about it and when you see what’s been happening with prices, I think Declan will be blowing that out the water when it comes around,” said Moyes.

Last season, Rice also showed he has the mental toughness to succeed at a high level. His leadership was questioned by supporters during West Ham’s slump in form but, if anything, he grew into his role as captain when their league position became more precarious.

The Athletic revealed two team meetings were held after the 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in February. Moyes and his backroom staff were unaware any talks had been held, but it led to West Ham beating Nottingham Forest 4-0 in their next league game.

“He’s been our main leader this season and he takes responsibility for everything,” said Vladimir Coufal. “He’s still a young player but he saved our season mainly with how he played on the pitch. When he plays like that everyone else feels more confident.

“You see it every day in training, whether it’s his passing, dribbling or speed because he’s really quick on his feet. He has everything and I’ve said it many times: he’s on his way to becoming one of the best holding midfielders in the world.”

Rice is set to fulfil Moyes and Coufal’s prophecy. He is deserving of a move to a ‘big six’ side and it is testament to Rice’s legacy that he will leave West Ham in a far stronger position on and off the field.

(Top photo: Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images)