Declan Rice has previously admitted Old Trafford is one of his “favourite” football stadiums to play in amid reports linking the midfielder with a summer move to Manchester United.
The England international cemented his status as a West Ham United legend last night by skippering the club to its first major honour in 43 years. A nervy 2-1 victory over Fiorentina crowned the Hammers as Europa Conference League champions - becoming just the second side to win the competition.
Rice played 11 of West Ham’s 13 games - including all but one knockout fixture - to inspire his side to glory. It is now widely expected that the 24-year-old will bid farewell to the London Stadium and seek pastures new this summer.
Irons owner David Sullivain admitted following the Conference League win that Rice - valued at £100million - has likely played his last game for the club. He told talkSPORT: “I think it has to be (his last game). We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.
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“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 cost him £10million (in wages) to stay at West Ham and he wants to go. You can't keep a player who doesn't want to be there. It's not something we want to happen. We offered him £ 200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down.”
While Bayern Munich are reportedly expressing interest, a host of Premier League clubs are also vying for his signature. Arsenal remain the bookmakers’ favourite but Man United trail slightly behind at 13/2.
An ace up Erik ten Hag’s sleeve could be how Rice has already expressed his adulation for Old Trafford. Speaking after West Ham lost 1-0 away to the Red Devils last year, the England star called the Theatre of Dreams one of his “favourite” venues to play at.
“I was loving it,” Rice said post-match. “Every time I come to Old Trafford, I've always said it's one of my favourite places to play. It's an amazing stadium.”
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