Declan Rice has responded to fans after chants begging him to stay at West Ham amid Arsenal move speculation.
From the minute West Ham fans laid eyes on Declan Rice in the first team they knew he was special.
Arsenal clearly feel the same judging by the endless transfer speculation this season.
The kid West Ham took a chance on after he was thrown on the football scrapheap by Chelsea aged 14 has blossomed into one of the finest midfielders in the world.
As Hammerstein fans know only too well the clock is ticking down on the moment Rice likely leaves West Ham this summer.
Indeed there are now just 10 games left for the midfielder – at the most – in the claret and blue if he is – as expected – sold this summer.
Arsenal said to be ‘leading the race’ for Rice
A host of Europe’s top clubs have been linked with Rice, chiefly Arsenal of late.
For several months now the talk has been that Arsenal are the leading contenders to sign the West Ham.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is said to be a huge fan of the Hammers captain. And if last weekend’s 2-2 draw between West Ham and Arsenal was an audition of sorts for Rice, then he passed with flying colours as he forced Thomas Partey – the man he could replace – off the pitch.
West Ham fans would – obviously – dearly love their talisman to stay. But the skipper has rejected the biggest contract in the history of the club and has publicly declared his intention to play in the Champions League and compete for top trophies.
Hammers fans are doing their bit to show Rice how much they want him to remain at the club.
Declan Rice responds to fans after chants begging him to stay at West Ham amid Arsenal move speculation
West Ham fans aimed a relentless chant at Rice during their thumping 4-0 win over Bournemouth – in which the captain scored yet again.
Now Rice has responded to fans after the chants begging him to stay at West Ham amid the Arsenal move speculation.
“West Ham fans today… no words for you all,” Rice posted on Twitter alongside heart and clapping emojis.
“Incredible.”
Whatever happens with Rice this summer one thing is for certain.
He will forever be loved by West Ham and Rice will forever love the Hammers.
While he may get the Champions League football and trophies he craves – and deserves – elsewhere, he will never have the same bond with fans that he has at West Ham.
And that, in itself, is something to cherish.