Manuel Pellegrini said he "doesn't know in this moment" whether Declan Rice will be a West Ham player at the start of the 2019/20 Premier League season.
The 20-year-old midfielder has enjoyed a breakout campaign under the Chilean manager, who has played him in defensive midfield and it has proved to be a masterstroke with Rice earning an Englsnd call-up and plaudits from around the country for his performances.
The Academy graduate penned a five-and-a-half year contract extension at the back end of 2018 to commit his future at the club but his outstanding displays for Pellegrini's side have not gone unnoticed and he has been linked with moves to both Manchester clubs this season.
Manchester United are supposedly leading the chase for Rice, who has said himself he has no reason to leave West Ham any time soon, but that has not stopped the rumours.
West Ham player ratings vs Watford: Antonio excellent & Noble superb as Hammers end in style
Rice was excellent again for the Hammers as they ended the season in fine style, thumping ten-man Watford 4-1 at Vicarage Road to end the campaign with three straight wins and a tenth place finish.
While Hammers fans will have been on a high after seeing their team stroll to victory in Hertfordshire, they won't be heartened by what their manage had to say following the game when asked about Rice's future.
The manager said: "It is impossible to say. I cannot know the future.
West Ham fans are loving what Manuel Pellegrini has done to face Watford on final day
"He is a player that has had a brilliant season, is 20 years old, English under 20 so he has a lot of quality, age, nationality. All of the big teams will want him. That is one thing and this other if he will stay or if he will go I cannot say in this moment."
Keep up to date with the latest news, features and exclusives from football.london via the free football.london app for iPhone and Android .
Available to download from the App Store and Google Play .
