David Moyes has warned the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea that Declan Rice will be an "extremely expensive" acquisition this summer. The 24-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with an exit from West Ham for a while now as he continues to impress for club and country.
Despite the arrival of Jorginho, football.london understand that the Gunners still hold a strong interest in Rice. It's also understood that the Hammers captain remains a key target for Chelsea, where he spent his formative years alongside Mason Mount in the academy until he was eventually released at the age of 14.
The England international sees his contract with the east Londoners expire at the end of next season, but it's said that West Ham hold the option to extend his stay by a further year. However, Rice has previously voiced his ambition to play in the Champions League and, with the Hammers some way off top-four, he's yet to commit his long-term future to the club.
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With a handful of top clubs around Europe taking an interest in Rice, Moyes has issued a fresh update on the Englishman. Following West Ham's win over Manchester United at the weekend, the Scotsman heaped tremendous praise on his captain.
"Again, he was outstanding tonight but I thought we had some really big performers," said Moyes. "No surprising me, he has got a great talent of regaining the ball.
"You’ve seen him play for England, you’ve seen the abilities he uses in recovering the ball and getting around people. He’s great across the ground, very quick. I’m pleased, but not surprised."
Then, when asked if he's worried that Rice will keep catching the eye of other clubs, Moyes replied: "Yes, that’s why he is probably the best English midfield player around and that is why he is going to be extremely expensive if anybody comes calling."
Last month, the West Ham boss admitted that he is hoping to convince Rice to stay in east London. But, the 60-year-old conceded that if he does leave then he's given everything to the club, on and off the pitch.
"Obviously he is such an important player," said Moyes. "He would be missed by any club, so any club who didn’t have him would miss him and we certainly would, partly because he is a big part but my hopes somewhere is that Dec thinks this is the best place for him to be.
"If somebody doesn’t come up with the right amount of money, it will continue to be the place he is as well. The club have made that pretty plain, but I hope we can continue to get the best out of Dec.
"What Dec has given back to West Ham, whether it is the club or the supporters, the team, and more importantly himself and his family, he has shown he is absolutely dead on, not missing a thing, no question marks can be asked about Declan Rice," added the Hammers boss.
"He celebrates with the supporters, he talks to them, he is with them, in the dressing room he leads the team. If there is one thing you say about Declan Rice, whether he leaves or stays, he has been 100% committed this year."
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