West Ham chairman David Sullivan has revealed that Declan Rice has been ‘promised’ an exit this summer and confirmed the Europa Conference League final will be the midfielder’s last appearance for the club.
Rice captained West Ham to their first major trophy since 1980 after David Moyes’ side beat Fiorentina 2-1 in Prague to win the Europa Conference League.
The 24-year-old discussed his future post-match and said he was keen to focus on the club’s celebrations after a historic night for the Irons.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich have all been credited with interest in the England midfielder and Sullivan has revealed that West Ham have a gentleman’s agreement to allow Rice to leave this summer.
“I think it has to be. We promised him he could go,” Sullivan told talkSPORT on whether the final would be Rice’s last appearance for West Ham.
“He set his heart on going and in due course he has to get on and we have to get a replacement.
“You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements. It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago. He turned it down.
“It’s cost him £10m to stay at West Ham in that time [in lost wages]. And he wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there. The offers will start to come today.
“There are three or four clubs who 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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