Fulham owner Tony Khan has responded to claims that Joao Palhinha has a release clause in his contract as West Ham search for Declan Rice's replacement with the England star edging closer to sealing a move to Arsenal. football.london understands the Gunners are prioritising a move for the England international with talks set to begin this month.
While Rice has certainly not closed the door on a possibility of staying at West Ham, his club's chairman David Sullivan may well have given the game away. Speaking on the radio station talkSPORT, he said: "I think it has to be [Rice's final game for West Ham]. We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.
"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 £10million 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."
talkSPORT claimed that the Hammers have identified Fulham's Palhinha as a potential replacement for Rice this summer with the Portuguese midfielder having a release clause in his contract at Craven Cottage. Khan replied to the rumour on Twitter with the response: "There is no release clause."
Rice was coy over his future in discussion with BT Sport after the Europa Conference League final earlier this week, saying: "Look at the moment, there's obviously a lot of speculation going on about my future. Obviously there is interest from other clubs, that's out there, but ultimately I still have two-years left at West Ham.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Rice 'agreement', Moises Caicedo offer, Saliba contract boost
"I love this club, I love playing for this club, there hasn't been nothing yet, so look my focus is playing for West Ham, enjoying tonight and seeing what happens. I'm captain of this club, I absolutely love it to pieces, I cannot speak highly enough of this place and let's just see what happens."
Reports have stated that Rice has already agreed personal terms with the Gunners expected to submit their first official bid for the England international this month.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal transfer news: Kroenke gives Edu mission as Gunners look to sign next Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal move one step closer to completing £120m Declan Rice transfer as West Ham bid prepared
