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West Ham United could lose Declan Rice to Atletico Madrid this summer, according to a report from El Gol Digital.

What’s the word?

Rice has emerged as a genuine star at West Ham this season.

He has played 37 times in all competitions and has even earned two England caps, playing against both the Czech Republic and Montenegro in Euro 2020 qualifiers.

Still just 20, the report claims that Manchester United are also interested in Rice, though the Liga club are seeking a replacement to Thomas Partey, who could leave this summer. Manchester City are touted as potential suitors.

Rice, valued at £31.5m by Transfermarkt, is seen as a potential signing, along with the likes of Wolves star Ruben Neves and Porto’s Danilo Pereira.

The Hammers have two games of the season remaining, with Rice likely to play against both Southampton and Watford.

It remains to be seen if he will also be involved in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the latter stages of the UEFA Nations League, with a semi-final against the Netherlands to come in June.

Best-case scenario

This is the best-case scenario for the Hammers if Rice does leave.

A switch to United would surely see fans turn on both David Gold and David Sullivan, the co-chairmen of the club, with another star sold to a rival.

But a move to Atletico, while painful, would see Rice develop as a player in Spain, away from the eyes of Irons’ supporters.

Of course, Rice leaving at all would hurt the Hammers, such has been his growth under Pellegrini.

But Gold and Sullivan should ensure that this reported switch to Atleti comes off, particularly if a transfer becomes inevitable this summer.