As David Moyes attempts to avert the transfer affair, the England star and west ham hero, Declan Rice has played his final match for the Hammers. Before Declan Rice is traded this summer, West Ham wants to replace the midfielder, and the top targets are Joao Palhinha of Fulham and Edson Alvarez of Ajax.
Rice played his farewell match for the team in last week’s victory against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League farewell, and chairman David Sullivan has since confirmed the 24-year-old will be allowed to fulfill his goal to leave and play in the Champions League.
David Moyes would want to avoid a summer transfer controversy as he builds for next season, but West Ham are not in a haste to sell and are content to allow a bidding battle between Arsenal, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich play out in the goal of securing approximately £100 million for Rice.
Rice’s failure to return in time for West Ham’s pre-season trip to Australia in July removes even more urgency, with the Hammers poised to go without a slew of first-team players who will be granted an extended rest following this month’s internationals.
The Irons will step up their search for Rice’s successor in midfield in the meantime. Palhinha, who joined Fulham from Sporting for £20 million last summer, had a fantastic first season in English football.
David Moyes Wants To Fix His Transfer Radars Soon
Fulham would more than quadruple their money if they sold, but they are hesitant to part ways with one of their top players, especially given that keeping the 27-year-old is seen as essential to the chances that manager Marco Silva would extend his own contract.
Alvarez, meantime, will depart Ajax this summer after the Dutch team’s third-place performance in the Eredivisie prevented them from qualifying for the Champions League. Although Borussia Dortmund is reportedly also interested in signing the Mexican as a substitute for the Real Madrid-bound player, West Ham hopes to reach an agreement on a lesser amount for the player after Chelsea’s failed £43 million deal late last summer.
Although he is not considered as a straight Rice replacement, Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse is still a target for West Ham and would be brought in to compete with Tomas Soucek in the middle of the field. With a move for winger Harvey Barnes, the Hammers hope to profit from Leicester’s relegation.
There are exciting days ahead for West Ham United, David Sullivan, and David Moyes. It’s a crucial time for all parties involved as the club attempts to link its recruitment strategy and league performance with the club’s expanded goals in light of the confirmation of the Europa Conference League victory and the club’s turbulent domestic condition.
