David Moyes has conceded that West Ham are planning for life both with and without Declan Rice next season.
Rice has been in sensational form in recent weeks, leading the Hammers’ resurgence with a man of the match display in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal and then goals in key wins over KAA Gent and Bournemouth, results that have driven Moyes side clear of the Premier League relegation scrap and into the semi-final of the Europa Conference League.
Privately, there is an acceptance that the remaining month-and-a-half of the season will almost certainly mark the end of Rice’s time at the London Stadium, with the midfielder set to be sold this summer as he effectively enters the final two years of his contract.
The club are ready to play hardball over a transfer fee, though, and publicly Moyes has tended to push back against questions about the 24-year-old’s future outside of the transfer window.
However, when asked ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with Liverpool whether next season’s planning included a with and without Rice scenario, the Scot said: “Yeah, obviously he is such an important player.
“He would be missed by any club, so any club who didn’t have him would miss him and we certainly would, partly because he is a big part.
“But my hope somewhere is that Dec thinks this is the best place for him to be and if somebody doesn’t come up with the right amount of money, it will continue to be the place he is as well. The club have made that pretty plain, but I hope we can continue to get the best out of Dec.”
While on England duty earlier this season, Rice made no secret of his desire to play Champions League football and the 24-year-old’s outstanding form at the World Cup in Qatar was further evidence of his readiness for the very highest level.
Despite his likely departure becoming something of an open secret as the season has worn on, however, Rice’s performances suggest his focus has never wavered.
“What Dec has given back to West Ham, whether it is the club or the supporters, the team, and more importantly himself and his family, he has shown he is absolutely dead on, not missing a thing,” Moyes added.
“No question marks can be asked about Declan Rice. He celebrates with the supporters, he talks to them, he is with them, in the dressing room he leads the team. If there is one thing you say about Declan Rice, whether he leaves or stays, he has been 100 per cent committed this year.”
