West Ham owner David Sullivan has revealed that Declan Rice turned down a new deal 18 months ago, passing up on the opportunity to earn £200,000 per week with the Hammers.
Rice lifted the Europa Conference League title following a 2-1 win over Fiorentina in Prague on Wednesday night. He is now expected to leave the club, with the 24-year-old having two years left on his contract this summer, as his departure was confirmed by owner David Sullivan following the historic win.
Offers in excess of £100million are expected to be required to release the England international from his current deal. Arsenal are believed to be the front-runners to sign the player, with Man United also thought to hold a firm interest.
The revelation that he turned down a pay rise 18 months ago indicates that he always saw his future lying elsewhere. Rice is reported to have turned down a subsequent contract offer in April, with the chance to play Champions League football thought to be the main motivating factor.
Club owner Sullivan has detailed Rice's earlier rejection in an interview with talkSPORT on Thursday morning, while also confirming the player's departure, he said: "I think it has to be [his last game].
"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." Sullivan explained. "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." He revealed. "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."
Such comments will be welcomed by interested clubs, with the admission opening the door for smooth transfer negotiations this summer.
However, after the match, Rice himself refused to confirm his departure, saying that he was not yet ready to bid farewell to the Hammers fans having secured his legacy as one of their best ever players.
He told BT Sport: "It's not goodbye yet, there's loads of speculation about my future and there is interest from other clubs, but look, nothing's happened. I'm a West Ham player, I've still got two years left on my contract.
"I love every minute of playing for this club and captaining this club, you can see the smile on my face. It's not about that tonight, it's about us celebrating. Let's wait and see what happens.
"My focus is playing for West Ham at the moment. I'm captain of this club and I can't speak highly enough of this place. Let's just see what happens. Let's wait and see. Who knows?"
