Transfer Centre

Declan Rice hints he wants to leave West Ham United

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 01 December 2022

Declan Rice suggests that he wants to leave West Ham United in the near future in order to challenge for the biggest trophies in the game.

West Ham United captain Declan Rice has suggested that he wants to leave the Hammers in the near future in order to challenge for the biggest trophies in the game.

The 23-year-old has again been in strong form for West Ham this term, making 20 appearances in all competitions, contributing one goal and two assists in the process.

Rice is currently with the England squad at the World Cup, and as expected, he has been in Gareth Southgate's starting XI for all three group games against Iran, the USA and Wales.

The midfielder's current deal at London Stadium is due to expire in June 2024, although the Hammers have the option to extend the agreement until the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

West Ham are believed to be working to sign him to an even longer deal, but according to The Guardian, he has no intention of extending his contract and is expecting to leave next summer.

England midfielder Declan Rice pictured with Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate on November 21, 2022 © Reuters

Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool have all been linked with Rice, while there is also thought to be interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

West Ham valued the midfielder at around £150m last summer, but he could allegedly be allowed to depart for around £100m ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Rice has revealed that he is desperate to play in the Champions League and challenge "for big trophies", as he does not want to have any regrets at the end of his career.

"One hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League," Rice told reporters. "For the last two or three years I've been saying that.

Declan Rice in West Ham United training on October 12, 2022 © Reuters

"I've been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing. I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies.

"You only get one career and at the end you want to look back at what you've won and the biggest games you've played in. I really want to do that."

Rice also claimed that teams should be fearful of England at the World Cup, with the Three lions preparing to take on Senegal in the last-16 stage of the competition on Sunday night.

"I think other nations will always look at us and think about the quality we've got in the squad," Rice added. "Why should we not be feared? If you look at our attacking players, there are world-class, unbelievable talents across the board.

"Across the whole team. There are players who have played in the biggest games and won the biggest trophies. We are one of the biggest teams here."

Rice has made 215 appearances for West Ham, contributing 11 goals and 12 assists in the process, while he has played in the Europa League and Europa Conference League over the last couple of seasons.