Declan & Ronaldo Transfers?

When Christiano Ronaldo was at the height of his pomp during his time at Manchester United, their then manager, Alex Ferguson had a running battle with Real Madrid over their 'tapping up' of the Portuguese maestro. Ferguson famously described the Real Madrid board as "gangsters" and that he would not countenance doing any business with them, however they eventually got their man, despite Manchester United's enormous financial resources.

Real didn't get Ronaldo straight away, the on off transfer of Ronaldo took a couple of seasons, but eventually the Spanish giants, bankrolled by their government, were able to prise the player away from Old Trafford using a combination of vast wages and a high transfer fee.

The £80 Million paid by Real was the record for any player transferred from the domestic league to elsewhere at the time (2009). Ronaldo went on to prove his worth and is still a player in demand despite being 36 years old. The salient point we are trying to raise is that Declan Rice WILL move from West Ham, it is not a question of if, it is a question of when!

Declan Rice and the club both have time on their hands, Declan is still young and hopefully has at least another ten years of op level football in him, the club have their prized asset signed up for another three years with an option to extend another year, so apparently there is no panic from 'Gnome towers'. However, it is obvious that Declan Rice's stock has risen even higher following his appearances during the Euro's, it is only a matter of time before the really big clubs start to circle.

The fact is every player has his price, IRRESPECTIVE of who the player is signed to, football is big business where sentiment is a very expensive luxury, the type of luxury West Ham cannot afford. When a big offer comes in, as yet there haven't been any, the club would be bereft of their due diligence if they didn't listen to offers in excess of £100 Million.

Yes the club will more than likely never get hold of another player of Declan's calibre, that is why he is worth so much, but if the money gained from the sale really is invested in the squad as opposed to paying off debts then the animosity of fans would be tempered by the knowledge that David Moyes would use the funds very carefully, IF they are made available to him.

If however Rice is sold and the money squirrelled away, then the deep chasm that already exists between the board and fans will become permanently irreparable. It is unpleasant to have to face the reality of modern day football, it is the beast that has been created by public demand, and it is what it is for including the good and the bad, Hopefully Declan will grace the London Stadium for at least one more season, possibly two at the most. Instead of getting on his back for wanting to get paid the top dollar he is entitled to as one if the best midfielders in the World, fans should just enjoy and savor his Rolls Royce performances for West Ham while they can.- Ed