West Ham have made their teenage defender Declan Rice a final, improved contract offer.
Negotiations between the players’ representatives and West Ham over a new deal have become difficult in the past few weeks and the club have said that if the latest offer is not accepted, there will be no further discussions before the end of the season.
Rice, who earns about £3,000 per week, recently rejected an offer of £15,000 per week plus £20,000 for every Premier League start and a salary rise after every 15 Premier League games.
The 19-year-old star wanted a higher basic wage though and the club’s new offer is £21,000 per week, a £5,000 salary increase after every 15 Premier League games and – as before - £20,000 for every start.
West Ham hope an agreement can be reached during the international break and that Rice’s future will be settled.
The teenager, who began his career at Chelsea before moving to West Ham in 2014, was again outstanding despite the 1-0 defeat at Brighton on Friday night and there would be no shortage of suitors should there be no agreement.
West Ham value Rice highly but are concerned about paying a young player too much, too soon as in the case of their defender Reece Oxford, who is earning £20,000 per week but whose playing career has stalled.
