Manchester City and Man United target Declan Rice insists he ‘doesn’t get carried away with speculation’ on his future… as the £100m rated West Ham star admits he gets ‘battered’ about the prices being quoted
- There continues to be speculation over the future of Declan Rice at West Ham
- Manchester City and Man United are interested in signing the £100m midfielder
- Rice has insisted that he’s not paying much attention to talk over his future
- He admits that his team-mates wind him up over the price tag over his head
Declan Rice insists he’s not paying too much attention to the speculation surrounding his future.
The West Ham star has long been linked with moves away from the club thanks to his fantastic performances for both club and country.
Sportsmail reported last week that Manchester City had joined Man United in the battle to sign the £100million England star.
Declan Rice has been linked with a move away from West Ham after his fantastic displays
Rice has admitted to getting stick off his West Ham team-mates over his price tag
The 23-year-old has stated that it’s important not to get carried away with the interest in him.
He told Sky Sports: ‘Playing well comes with speculation. I’ve obviously had two or three top seasons playing with West Ham and the top clubs around the country are always going to be watching.
‘It’s not just for me, I think it’s the same for every player.
‘I think it’s important not to get too carried away with all that. Obviously we’ve had a good season here with West Ham.
‘There’s been big games here to play so I feel like my focus has always been on that. I feel like if I’ve thought about other things I’d get carried away and that wouldn’t be fair on the team or the manager.’
Rice was third in the FWA Player of the Year award vote behind Mo Salah and Kevin De Bruyne
Rice’s displays this season were rewarded by finishing third in the vote for the Football Writers’ Association’s Player of the Year award.
In the vote he finished third only behind Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne who have been two of the leading players in the Premier League over the last number of years.
His contract doesn’t expire until the summer of 2024 and it could potentially take a British transfer record fee to sign him up from West Ham before then.
Rice has admitted he gets ‘battered’ on social media, and that his team-mates wind him up about the price tag on his head.
He said: ‘I can’t help speculation even with the numbers that get spoken about. I get battered for it all the time on social media. I can’t help that.’
He has played a key part in West Ham reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League
When asked whether his team-mates joke the about the speculation, Rice added: ‘Yeah, they wind me up all the time. Obviously it’s crazy to speak about to be honest so I just kind of block it out and do what I do best and that’s play football.’
Manchester United have been heavily linked with Rice in recent seasons, with the Red Devils desperately needing to strengthen in midfield.
City have joined the race, despite already looking like they will spend £63million on Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.
Fernandinho will leave the club in the summer, which will open a slot for Pep Guardiola’s side to strengthen in midfield.
The prospect of challenging for trophies under Pep Guardiola would be more attractive to 23-year-old Rice than having to help rebuild a club which needs ‘open-heart surgery’ according to their current interim Ralf Rangnick.
Manchester City have joined the race to sign the £100million rated star this summer
Manchester United have long been linked with Rice before Erik ten Hag’s arrival this summer
It’s understood that City have already requested to be kept informed of Rice’s future plans and made it clear they are a viable destination.
Rice, who has captained West Ham for most of this season, has not engaged in signing a new contract as he assesses his options.
Ideally, he would like a return to Chelsea who released him as a 14-year-old but the current instability at Stamford Bridge with Roman Abramovich forced to sell the club after sanctions makes that unlikely.
