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Boost For Hammers As Rice Set To Sign New Deal

Boost For Hammers As Rice Set To Sign New Deal

West Ham youngster Declan Rice is set to sign a new deal at the London club.

Joel Pattison

Joel Pattison

West Ham youngster Declan Rice is set to sign a new deal at the London club after speculation earlier this month that the board weren't going to meet his high wage demands.

Talks between Hammers chiefs and Rice reportedly broke down as the highly-rated 19-year-old was understood to be asking for £40,000 a week, a mere £37k more than what he is currently on.

However, speaking exclusively to the Metro, Rice revealed he is set to sign a new deal at the London Stadium.

"I love West Ham to pieces and the contract is going to be sorted out - we've been speaking about it for a while," said Rice in an exclusive interview with the London paper.

PA

"I'm not really bothered about what other clubs are interested. I'm just focused on playing for West Ham.

"The manager says I need to keep improving and that will come, and that's my take on it. I've just got to keep playing, keep my feet on the ground and I will end up signing another contract at West Ham."

Rice is still on an academy contract meaning he only earns around £3,000 a week, however, after becoming a first-team regular the defensive midfielder believes he deserves higher wages.

The reported halt in the contract negotiations resulted in one die hard Hammers fan starting up a GoFundMe page in order to raise the £2million-a-year Rice was demanding.

GoFundMe Page
GoFundMe Page

Greg Richardson, who set up the page, wrote: "Declan Rice reportedly wants a new 40k a week contract. That's about £2 mill a year.

"The board are dragging their heels.

"Let's raise the funds to pay for the first year of the contract our future captain desires. #coyi"

However, the crowdfunding has flopped miserably as it's failed to raise a single penny in the four days since it was set up.

Meanwhile, England manager Gareth Southgate and Republic of Ireland gaffer Martin O'Neill are still waiting to find out who Rice is going to pledge his allegiance too.

The 19-year-old qualifiers for O'Neill's side via his Irish grandparents and has made two non-competitive appearances for them.

However, he hasn't had an Ireland call-up since he was omitted from the squad in August as he considers switching to England.

PA

Speaking to the Metro, Rice revealed that he will make his decision known in the 'near future', saying: "I'm taking my time to make a decision on who I want to play for.

"Who'd have thought I'd have this decision to make at 19 years old? It's been a lot to take on, but I've managed it well. It's a decision only I can make, and it has to come from my heart.

"Whatever decision I do make will be the right one. I'm focusing on West Ham and Martin and Gareth will know in the near future of my decision."

The 19-year-old is 1/4 with Paddy Power to ply his trade for the Three Lions and 11/4 to play for Ireland.

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