West Ham will make “one more attempt” to tie down captain Declan Rice to a long-term contract, according to ExWHUemployee.

However, the insider source claims that the midfielder may not accept the offer even if it reaches £1m a week due to the fact that he is looking to leave the London Stadium:

“We will make one more attempt to get him to sign a contract. This has come from the top. It’s unlikely that he’ll sign it, but the club will try one more time to try and get him to sign. He would be the highest-paid player at the club by a significant distance and in our history.”

“However, as I’ve stated numerous times on this podcast for the last year or so, it isn’t about money; it’s about ambition and winning things. So I honestly think we can offer him £1m a week and he wouldn’t be tempted.”

Based on Ex’s remarks, it seems apparent that the Hammers’ efforts to keep Rice will be in vain, with the England international having his heart set on a move away from the club in the summer.

Chelsea remain the favourites to snap up the 23-year-old, having had a long-standing interest in the player, while teams such as Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool are also expected to be in the mix.

In terms of Rice’s price tag, it has been suggested that West Ham would consider offers as low as £70m but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has questioned that figure. The club will probably hold out for a fee above £100m.