da apostebet： According to former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny (via Football Insider), Declan Rice could look to leave West Ham in the summer after the club failed to make a single new signing in the January transfer window.
The Lowdown: Failed January window
da dobrowin： Many Irons fans have been left fuming after the club failed to bring in any fresh faces during the transfer window, despite it being increasingly clear that the squad could do with bolstering in a number of positions. This is particularly the case in attack, where Michail Antonio remains the only recognised senior striker at the club.
It wass claimed that the east London club were actively pursuing various options in January. David Moyes admitted that West Ham “probably made three record transfer bids” throughout last month, as quoted by the Evening Standard. However, these last-ditch attempts proved to be unsuccessful, sparking concern in the club’s race for a top four finish.
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The Latest: Kenny claims Rice could leave
Former Leeds goalkeeper Kenny has asserted that West Ham’s vice-captain and fan favourite Declan Rice could seek a summer exit following the disappointment of the January transfer window.
The 43-year-old told Football Insider: “They might have put record bids in, that doesn’t matter.
“West Ham are shopping in a different market now. They aren’t fighting in the bottom half of the table anymore. They are a European club, they are looking for players who are on another level.
“They will be disappointed to not get anyone in but Declan Rice will be annoyed. He’s one who could look to leave if West Ham don’t progress during the second half of this season.
“He’s a player who should be playing at the very highest level, I’m looking at Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea. They will all want him in the summer if he makes it known he wants to leave.
“West Ham may have had those bids in, but it doesn’t matter if they aren’t accepted.”
The Verdict: Keep him at all costs
According to SofaScore, Rice has been West Ham’s best player in the Premier League this season, and by some distance too. He has averaged a 7.25 rating, just one of five Hammers players to exceed 7.00.
Having played a full 90 minutes in every game bar one in this season’s top flight, this demonstrates just how important the England midfielder is to Moyes’ side, who has likened the 23-year-old to Premier League legend Steven Gerrard. The Irons boss proclaimed that Rice is ‘incredible’, and that he has the ability to replicate the current Aston Villa manager’s importance in the way he was able to carry Liverpool single-handedly, winning important matches in times of need.
Rice has attracted heavy interest from the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City. With the club’s failure to produce in the transfer market, Moyes could be increasingly worried that his star man could seek an exit in the summer, especially if the Hammers fall away in the race for Champions League football over the spring.
In other news: West Ham insider makes Irons transfer claim over this goalkeeper