West Ham are reportedly ready to offer youngster Declan Rice a new long-term contract at the London Stadium, as per Football Insider.
The Republic of Ireland U21’s current contract at West Ham runs out in the summer of 2019, so coming into the final 18 months, David Moyes is ready to extend this deal.
The 18-year-old, who turns 19 during the January transfer window, has played seven Premier League games this season, including a brilliant individual performance away at Manchester City in the narrow 2-1 loss.
He has also played full 90-minute matches in the League Cup this season in wins against Cheltenham Town, Bolton Wanderers and the brilliant comeback at Wembley against Tottenham Hotspur.
Having not featured in the last two matches, at home to Chelsea and Arsenal, in which the Hammers got four points out of six, the long-term contract may be just what Rice needs to fight for his place in the first team.
This year, he has individually won the Republic of Ireland U17 Player of the Year and West Ham Young Player of the Year for 2017. He has certainly made an impression of just how good he is for club and country, having already been picked for the Republic of Ireland squad.
West Ham travel to Stoke City this weekend, which is followed by a midweek trip to North London in the League Cup to face Arsenal, which Rice will have a very big shout to play in.
It just needs to be seen if by then, he will have signed a new long-term contract at the club he has been at his whole life.
