Paul Ince has hailed Declan Rice as the best midfielder in the Premier League after his superb form this season for West Ham.
Rice has long been linked with a move away from the Hammers and Ince feels that a move to Manchester United would be the best step for the England international career. However, the former Three Lions captain believes that if West Ham can qualify for the Champions League if they could keep hold of their star man.
West Ham are currently in fourth place and well in the hunt for a Champions League spot as a result. And with the Hammers through to the last-16 of the Europa League David Moyes' side have two routes available to Europe's elite competitions next season with the winners of the competition automatically qualifying for the 2022/23 Champions League.
"If they get fourth he might want to stay," Ince told Genting Casino. "He’s a player any team would need - all of this stupid talk about numbers and whether he’s a six or a four or an eight, he’s a box to box player, like Gerrard and Keane. Why wouldn’t the top clubs be coveting him."
Ince was effusive in his praise of Rice this season and revealed he understands how hard the decision to leave the Hammers would be for the 23-year-old.
"Declan Rice has been outstanding in the last year, probably the best midfielder in the Premier League," Ince added.
"It’s always tough as a West Ham boy to leave your home club, but when teams like [Manchester] United come calling it’s the next step.
"He’s one of those players that can do that and then go on to Barcelona and win titles. But at the moment he’s captain of West Ham, playing under a good manager in Moyes, [and] they’re vying for the Champions League spots."
The Hammers are adamant that Rice is not for sale at any price with the midfielder himself declaring transfer talk as "all just noise".
