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Declan Rice has played his last game for West Ham – and head coach David Moyes is heading for crunch talks over his uncertain future.
England star Rice will leave the London Stadium this summer, with Arsenal preparing a £90million formal offer for the West Ham captain that is expected to be submitted in the coming days, after chairman David Sullivan took the unusual step of confirming his captain’s pending departure whilst also revealing the midfielder’s refusal to sign a £200,000-per-week new contract has cost the 24-year-old £10million in wages.
There is also uncertainty over Moyes’ future, with the head coach to hold crucial talks with Sullivan on Friday.
Mail Sport revealed on May 19 that Moyes – who has been close to the sack on three separate occasions this season – would not be pushed out if they lifted their first trophy since 1980, effectively meaning the Scot would be allowed to dictate his own future.
In an interview with talkSPORT on Thursday, Sullivan confirmed Moyes, who has one year left on his contract, would remain in charge next season – if he wanted to stay.
The West Ham futures of David Moyes (left) and Declan Rice (right) remain uncertain after the club’s European success
The duo have cemented legendary status at West Ham after winning the Europa Conference League trophy
West Ham chairman David Sullivan (right) confirmed on Thursday that Rice would leave
Sullivan said: ‘David had a contract with us and has a contract with us until next summer and next summer we’ll look at it again. Until then, if he wants to remain as manager then he will remain as manager of West Ham.’
However, sources have indicated to that Moyes has privately considered the merits of walking away this summer after what has been a largely difficult season which saw the team escape relegation by just six points.
Sections of the fan base had turned on Moyes but Wednesday’s historic triumph means the Scot now holds iconic status among the club’s supporters.
During Friday’s discussions, Sullivan and Moyes will hold a season debrief, while the head coach will be updated on some of the infrastructural changes the club plan on implementing this summer.
West Ham will appoint a director of football in the coming weeks to work alongside current sporting director Mark Noble.
As a result, the club’s head of recruitment Rob Newman – who is known to be an ally of Moyes – is likely to see his role diluted.
Whether the restructuring is a factor in Moyes’ final decision remains to be seen, while sources have also indicated that Moyes is keen on returning to the north-west with a view to moving closer to his family.
Leaving on such a triumphant high may also appeal to the former Manchester United boss.
Moyes will have a meeting over his position at the club on Friday
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While Moyes’ future is in the balance, the likelihood of Rice leaving this summer appears relatively straightforward after Sullivan confirmed that his captain has played his last game for the club.
Arsenal want to swiftly conclude a £90million swoop but face paying the West Ham skipper’s initial transfer fee in full inside two years.
The Hammers value Rice closer to £100m, and because Manchester United and Bayern Munich have both shown an interest in their 24-year-old, Sullivan believes he can spark a bidding war for the midfielder.
Arsenal believe they are front runners but are reluctant to meet the £100m asking price.
Rice’s international midfield partner Jude Bellingham’s pending move to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund, for an initial fee of £88.5m rising to £113m if various performance-related add-ons are achieved, is an indication of where West Ham price their captain.
Mail Sport has learned that the Hammers want the guaranteed portion Rice’s transfer fee paid by 2025.
West Ham were among the clubs named on UEFA’s financial fair play watchlist last September and want the full funds in their account as quickly as possible to help ensure they comfortably stay within the laws.
Transfer fees can be spread across a number of years, often over the length of a player’s contract, to help the buying club manage their yearly expenditure.
Rice prefers to stay in the Premier League this summer amid interest from Bayern.
Rice is understood to be settled in London, which could give the Gunners an advantage over United.
Moyes’ future at West Ham is in the balance after a difficult season in the Premier League
West Ham want the guaranteed portion of Rice’s transfer fee paid by 2025
Nevertheless, United’s emergence as rivals for Rice could yet scupper Arsenal’s hopes.
Meanwhile, West Ham will look to reward Europa Conference League match-winner Jarrod Bowen with a bumper new deal.
Bowen, currently paid £60,000 per week, is on a contract that runs until 2025. West Ham have been happy with the 26-year-old’s progress ever since he signed from Championship Hull and have been keen to tie him down to a longer down for some time, even before he scored the winner in Wednesday’s final against Fiorentina.
Bowen, who is happy at West Ham and is a new father to twin daughters with partner Dani Dyer, can expect to double his wages with talks to be held over an extension.
