“So, one of the locals boys.”
David Moyes is preparing his West Ham side for a Europa League semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt, but we are already deep into summer transfer speculation season. The former Everton and Manchester United boss, then, was today fielding Declan Rice questions.
With many players running down their contracts, coming into the last year of deals and clubs making plans for 2022/23, and beyond, talk is rife of transfers, new deals and no deals.
Hammers midfielder Declan Rice is in demand, with many leading clubs linked with a summer move for the England international. Rice is contracted with West Ham up until July 2024, with the club holding an option to extend his deal an additional 12 months.
It is unclear whether there are certain release clause criteria in his current deal, such as a buy-out fee, but West Ham will not be letting Rice go cheaply. They would prefer to build their team around him, but a bumper deal, north of £100million, may see them change tack.
On Sunday, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Rice had turned down a new and improved Hammers contract, while suggesting Chelsea could be back in for their former academy player.
Declan Rice has turned down new deal proposal from West Ham. Chelsea manager Tuchel answers on how highly he rates Rice: "Very highly". 🔵 @AdamNewson #CFC
"He's impressive, and very nice guy – he's from the Chelsea academy and he proves his quality. I like the way he plays". pic.twitter.com/7JX5KEd7WC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 24, 2022
David Moyes on Declan Rice contract situation
Up for media duties ahead of the semi-final, David Moyes was asked by a reporter about Declan Rice not signing a new contract with the club.
MOYES: I don’t know who put it out publicly, because we certainly didn’t do that. So, unless you’ve got who said it [about the contract] or who put it out there, I couldn’t really answer… Who was the journalist that put it out?
MEDIA MANAGER: This guy called Fabrizio Romano. He does the Italian stuff in The Guardian.
MOYES: So, one of the local boys?! It was one of the local boys that got the story, then. Yeah, good.
Moyes not knowing who Fabrizio Romano is, a well regarded and well sourced reporter on transfer dealings, would suggest he does not frequent Twitter, or many other social media spots.
Very often, if an agent wishes to get some coverage on one of their players, they will let it be known to certain journalists that deals and moves could be in motion. Moyes seemed dismissive of the contract speculation as Romano was not on the daily West Ham beat.
🗣 “Who was the journalist that put it out?”
David Moyes reacts to @FabrizioRomano breaking the story regarding Declan Rice refusing to sign a new deal at West Ham. pic.twitter.com/gt8JQJQ3UR
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 25, 2022
As for Declan Rice and his future at the club, Moyes stressed that the midfielder has ‘three and a half years left’ on his contract and that the club has ‘no intention of selling’ the England international.
unfortunately I’m not a ‘local boy’, I’m just trying to do my best even if I’m not attending press conferences every week… but I’ve been at London Stadium three times – atmosphere, team and fans were amazing 😀🙋🏼♂️ wish you and Declan all the best in Europa League semi finals! ⚒️
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 25, 2022
