Chairman David Sullivan says captain Declan Rice has probably played his last game for West Ham after being “promised” he could leave this summer.
The 24-year-old England midfielder has been heavily linked with a move away from London Stadium.
Asked if Wednesday’s Europa Conference League triumph over Fiorentina was Rice’s last appearance, Sullivan told Talksport: “I think it has to be.
“We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.”
On Wednesday Rice became only the third West Ham captain to lift a trophy for the club, following in the footsteps of the great Bobby Moore, who lifted the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965, and club legend Billy Bonds, who led the Hammers to the FA Cup in 1975 and 1980.
Rice has played 245 games and scored 15 goals for West Ham, having made his debut in the 2016-17 season after coming through the academy.
He represented the Republic of Ireland three times before switching his international allegiance to England, for whom he has been capped 41 times, playing in all five matches at the World Cup last year.
Rice has one year left on his contract, although West have the option to extend that until the summer of 2025, leaving them in a strong position to negotiate a substantial transfer fee.
“You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season,” Sullivan said.
“In due 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 £10m 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. 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.”
Former West Ham defender Julian Dicks, who was part of the coaching staff during Rice’s breakthrough season, said his expected departure will leave a void in midfield.
“He very rarely gives the ball away. That’s great for a midfield player. He’s an asset to any club and West Ham will miss him,” Dicks told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Players want to win trophies. It can’t be about money, as they earn enough. I can’t blame Dec for wanting to go and win trophies. If West Ham were winning trophies every other season, I’m sure he would stay.”
West Ham legend Trevor Brooking told 5 Live: “Rice has been a leader and driven people on.
“[The] general feeling is he will move on, but what a way. He could have left earlier but, with the way it has ended, he couldn’t have asked for any more.
“When somebody leaves a club like that you usually think fans wont be happy, but he is such a credit to the club. We will wish him all the best.”
