Danny Murphy and Jermain Defoe agree about West Ham's…

Danny Murphy and Jermain Defoe agree about West Ham's Declan Rice amid Arsenal transfer links

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy feels that Declan Rice showed in West Ham's win against Manchester United why he is sought after by many top clubs.

Rice put in an impressive display as the Hammers took a big step towards securing Premier League safety with a 1-0 victory against the Red Devils at the London Stadium on Sunday, with the West Ham captain returning to the side after missing the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in midweek.

His future continues to be the subject of much speculation, with several clubs in England linked with a move for the 24-year-old this summer, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool.

Arsenal are reported to be the current favourites to sign Rice, with Mail Online reporting that West Ham could sell this summer if an acceptable offer is received, with the England international valued in excess of £100million.

And Murphy has said that it is clear why several clubs in the Premier League would want Rice, who he feels could get even better and thrive in a team that dominates games more.

Speaking on BBC programme Match of the Day 2, Murphy said: "Well, he [Rice] is a wonderful talent. We’ve talked about him many times. It’s inevitable that he’s going to leave, but this was the reason. We saw from his performance [against Manchester United] why he plays every game, why he’s sought after by many of the top clubs.

"He’s on the front foot, he missed midweek [against Manchester City] because he was ill, but he had great energy, nice and proactive. I like it when he’s like this. He’s high up the pitch winning the ball back. Here, positive with his passing, taking a risk. Doesn’t mind if he loses it sometimes, but he gets them out, gets them on the front foot because he’s capable. We know that he’s great at this, spotting danger, getting into great positions to mop up play.

Arsenal are reported to be among the clubs looking to sign Declan Rice in the summer (Craig Mercer)

"This is one aspect of his play that I think we’ve seen a lot more of recently and we will see more of when he plays in a team that dominates games more. He’s got great skill, good feet, good athleticism to get past people and tries the shot here, he’s got a couple of goals recently. I don’t think he is just a holding midfield player, he’s got a lot more to him than that."

Meanwhile, former West Ham striker Jermain Defoe agreed with Murphy that he thinks Rice, whose contract expires in the summer of 2024, can play in several different positions, including higher up the pitch.

And Defoe feels that Rice, who has scored four goals in 44 appearances for the Hammers so far this season, can add more goals and assists to his game if he is given the opportunity to play further forward.

He said: "Yes, I think he can play in all different positions to be honest. I know he likes being that six, that holding midfield player, that screen for the back four. Getting on the ball, dictating, he can do that, but I still feel he can play further forward and by doing that, then, he will score more goals and have more assists.

"You see here again he’s driving into these areas, but he’s such a threat going forward and that’s why I think he can play further forward."

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