David Moyes keen to tie down goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, 35, to a new deal… and reward Declan Rice with improved terms in bid to fight off interest from Chelsea
- West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, 35, is out of contract in summer 2021
- Declan Rice is linked to Chelsea but Hammers want to give him improved terms
- Manager David Moyes reveals COVID-19 uncertainty has affected contract talks
David Moyes wants West Ham to secure goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski on a new deal in the next few weeks and is also hopeful his board will reward star man Declan Rice improved terms to fend off Chelsea in the next two transfer windows.
Former Arsenal keeper Fabianski, 35, has become a mainstay of West Ham’s improvement under Moyes, but is out of contract in the summer.
The Poland international, with over 50 caps, is being offered a two-year extension but manager Moyes has revealed his concerns over the uncertainty of ever changing lockdown regulations placing football under threat.
West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has been a mainstay in his three years at the club
England international midfielder Rice has been a repeated target for Chelsea, where he started his career, and they are expected to come back in for him.
And Moyes explained while many clubs face financial concerns going into the New Year, his main job is to ensure West Ham remain robust in the Premier League.
He said: ‘COVID is playing a part for a lot of clubs because obviously any contracts getting given out just now, I’d have thought if anything shut down, how would it work?
Hammers and England midfielder Declan Rice has been linked with a move back to Chelsea
David Moyes is keen to tie the 35-year-old (left) down for two years and improve Rice’s deal
But manager Moyes has admitted uncertainty over COVID-19 is affecting contract negotiations
‘I’m hoping I don’t ever have to use the R word this year but you know until you get 40 points then you do sometimes, and that also plays a part as well.
‘But because the crowds aren’t there it makes it really difficult for the owners, not just for our club but any club.’
West Ham fans preparing for their side’s match against relegation-threatened Brighton on Sunday need not panic, according to their canny Scottish manager.
He added: ‘Let me tell you, I would hope that I was experienced enough to make sure that I was doing all the correct things, when it was needed, at the right times. All I can say is, yeah, we’re in a good position.’
