Declan Rice to spark ‘transfer scramble’ ... in a year’s time — report

Chelsea (and Manchester United) have spent the last couple transfer windows heavily linked to young Declan Rice, but our former Academy prospect looks set to stay at West Ham for at least another year. Since he was never really pushing for an exit, this isn’t much of a surprise, but the Daily Mail are here to tell you that he “accepts” his fate, which is nice.

Next summer however, he might not be so willing.

Reports earlier this summer already made it clear that he’s not going to sign a new contract, and his current one will have two years left on it after this season. That should create the perfect storm for a “transfer scramble” between us and the two Manchesters, with West Ham surely sticking to their £90-100m valuation.

Twelve more months of development and regular playing time in a lower-pressure environment — and with Europa League football, too! — should bode well for the 22-year-old midfielder, who’s already one of the best in the league and should only get better still. Hot days ahead!