David Sullivan accepts Declan Rice wish to leave West Ham this summer

West Ham owner David Sullivan has confirmed that Declan Rice has played his last game for the Hammers. The England midfielder has been linked with a summer move to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Wednesday night was one to remember for everyone associated with West Ham, after winning the Europa Conference League. Declan Rice played a key role in what was a memorable journey in Europe.

The players and fans would have celebrated late into the night, however, Rice was trying to avoid conversation about his future.

That didn’t stop West Ham owner David Sullivan from confirming that Rice won’t be a Hammer next season.

“I think it has to be [his last game],” Sullivan told talkSPORT (via The Mirror). “We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going. You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. In duo course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement — or several replacements.

“It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down. It’s cost him £10million to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.

“I think the offers will start to come today. There are three or four clubs who have shown interest, but out of respect to West Ham, while we’re still playing, you don’t make offers for players. That’s not the way decent clubs do things.”

Sullivan’s comments come after Rice refused to bid farewell to Hammers fans following their 2-1 win over Fiorentina.

Speaking to BT Sport, the England midfielder suggested that he could even stay at West Ham this summer, which would be a surprise.

“It’s not goodbye yet, there’s loads of speculation about my future and there is interest from other clubs, but look, nothing’s happened. I’m a West Ham player, I’ve still got two years left on my contract.

“I love every minute of playing for this club and captaining this club, you can see the smile on my face. It’s not about that tonight, it’s about us celebrating. Let’s wait and see what happens.

“My focus is playing for West Ham at the moment. I’m captain of this club and I can’t speak highly enough of this place. Let’s just see what happens. Let’s wait and see. Who knows?

“I’ve given my heart playing for this club over the past six years. I’d give anything to help this club win. We’ve not had it easy. We’ve been facing relegation. To win this now, to be in that category, I don’t want to say too much. I’ll get too excited.”

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