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Pellegrini urges Declan Rice t...

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Pellegrini urges Declan Rice to put West Ham performances over contract talk

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98FM

02:41 28 Sep 2018


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It's not just Declan Rice's Ireland future that is in a state of flux.

While we all await whether the Londoner will continue playing for the Boys in Green at international level, having won three caps at senior level and having represented Ireland at youth level, he's also locked in contract flux with West Ham.

The 19-year-old has been in good form for the club in the last couple of weeks as the Hammers bounced back with a win and a draw after a very poor start to the Premier League season.

Thus, West Ham reportedly offered Rice a £15,000 a week contract, which he turned down as he and his representatives hold out for an improved offer in the £30,000 ball-park. He is currently reported to be on £3,000 a week after emerging onto the first team picture last season.

On this week's Off The Ball Football Show, The Guardian's Jacob Steinberg suggested that West Ham are treading carefully with their offers based on their experience of young defender Reece Oxford who burst onto the scene in a match against Arsenal in August 2015 before later going onto sign a new deal.  

Oxford has not gone on to build on his burgeoning reputation at West Ham. 

Speaking today ahead of the weekend's Premier League action against Manchester United, West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini wants Rice to concentrate on his performances rather than any contract negotiations happening in the background.

"Declan I think must try to continue to have good performances, not thinking about more or less money at the moment," he said.

"Nobody at the club is stupid. He's not a young player anymore and I don't think he will have any problems with his contract in the future."


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