West Ham should demand Nikola Kalinic in any unwanted Declan Rice departure

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Atletico Madrid are reportedly keeping an eye on West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice. El Gol Digital is reporting the Hammers star is on the Spanish side’s shortlist of players in the eventuality that Thomas Partey leaves in the summer.

Rice, a talented and disciplined young talent, fits the bill perfectly to work under Diego Simeone and West Ham will rightly fear this new interest.

First and foremost, it is important to say that West Ham should do everything in their power to stop Rice from leaving the club. He signed a new deal in December and looks like being a top talent for years to come.

However, we all know how football works. Everyone has a price and the lure of Madrid might appeal to the Hammers star.

If West Ham do find themselves doing business with Los Colchoneros, they must ensure they are compensated well. Not only financially, but in terms of recruitment.  Because Atletico have a spare part that West Ham wanted last summer.

As reported by El Desmarque in the summer, Manuel Pellegrini and co were keen on signing the Croatian international striker Nikola Kalinic.

He has just had a difficult time on loan with AC Milan but was still highly thought of from impressive stints at Fiorentina and Dnipro. But Atletico signed the player, in a deal reported by Goal to be worth around £13 million.

With doubts surrounding the futures of several frontmen at West Ham, Kalinic would be a great recruit, even without the departure of Rice.

But if they do find themselves in the unwanted position of losing their young star, Kalinic would soften the blow ever so slightly.