Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes West Ham will lose Declan Rice next summer, with Chelsea retaining their interest in the 21-year-old.
The Blues’ interest in Rice was well documented during the summer and The Athletic believes the west Londoners will be back in for the England international in January.
Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson believes the deal will happen eventually, saying: “This transfer just keeps rumbling on. Frank is obviously a big fan of Declan Rice and he clearly sees him as part of the jigsaw puzzle at Chelsea.”
The 41-year-old went further in his prediction: “Unfortunately for smaller clubs, when the likes of Chelsea come with their spending power the transfer does tend to happen. Whether that be in January or the summer, I think we will see Declan Rice in a Chelsea shirt before the end of 2021.”
Rice, who has been capped 11 times by England, has played every minute for David Moyes’ side in the Premier League this season, as well as captaining the team in the absence of Mark Noble.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
Robinson’s view is likely to go down like a lead balloon with those of a West Ham persuasion. Not only is he tipping the sale of arguably the club’s most prized asset, he also implied that West Ham are a small club in doing so.
Whilst the Irons know the battle they face to keep hold of Rice, they must do everything in their power to ensure they resist Chelsea’s overtures regardless of the money on offer, certainly during a mid-season transfer window.
His importance to the side is there for all to see and, if the Irons are truly ambitious about finishing as high in the Premier League as possible, they must build around Rice and not continue to sell their best assets.
