David James Claims There Is Still A “Beautiful Scenario” Where Declan Rice STAYS At West Ham

David James Claims There Is Still A “Beautiful Scenario” Where Declan Rice STAYS At West Ham

Ex-West Ham goalkeeper David James still believes that Declan Rice could end up staying at the London Stadium.

The former England international says there is a way that the midfielder could fulfil his Champions League ambitions with the Hammers but it would take an unlikely set of circumstances for it to happen:

“I’ve got this beautiful scenario in my head where West Ham win this [Conference League] competition, Declan Rice decides to stay. They, therefore, qualify for the Europa League and then win that to get into the Champions League. I know it is a fantastical situation, but then it would be up to Declan what he does.”

Rice has effectively decided to leave West Ham

While James and some supporters will be holding on to the hope that the midfielder will stay with the Irons, nearly every news report on the player suggests he has made up his mind to move clubs this summer.



Rice has already rejected multiple offers to extend his contract at West Ham and, with the player effectively having two years remaining on his current deal, this is the right time for the club to raise a substantial sum from selling him.

Who are the current favourites for Rice’s signature?

Arsenal are widely regarded as the frontrunners to snap up the 24-year-old, with Rice believed to have made a switch to the Emirates his number-one option.

However, there are still question marks over whether the Gunners can match West Ham’s £120m price tag. An offer from Mikel Arteta’s side is expected after the Conference League final but it is unlikely to meet his valuation.

Bayern Munich are also known to be keen admirers of the player and there is even talk in the German media that the Bundesliga champions are prepared to make a sizeable bid.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are the other contenders, with the Red Devils being tipped to use a number of makeweights in their offer for Rice.

David Tully

David Tully

David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World's Football News Network.