David Moyes says Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target Declan Rice will cost a new British record fee when he eventually leaves West Ham.
The 24-year-old gave another all-action and combative performance in the heart of the Hammers’ midfield on Saturday at St James’ Park, helping his side earn a point in a 1-1 draw against high-flying Newcastle.
Rice is widely expected to leave the east London club in the summer, however, particularly with the side set to miss out on European football after a disappointing campaign.
While the Hammers may have struggled, Rice has been as consistent as ever and is attracting attention from a host of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.
Chelsea have long been linked with a move for their former academy player and that interest remains despite breaking the British transfer record to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez in a £106million deal from Benfica.
Arsenal are also ready to launch an assault on West Ham, with Mikel Arteta eager to add a new, top-class midfielder to his ranks after being rebuffed by Brighton for Moises Caicedo.
But West Ham boss Moyes still has not given up hope of keeping Rice at the club beyond this season and has told interested parties it will take an offer in excess of Fernandez’s £106m fee to prise the Irons’ skipper away.
‘Declan was a top player in the first half, he showed so many things,’ said the Scot after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle.
‘Undoubtedly he’s going to be a top player and undoubtedly he’ll be a British transfer record and more whenever he leaves West Ham.’
Asked if his captain’s departure now feels inevitable, Moyes replied: ‘I hope it’s not!
‘A lot’s been said about it and when you see what’s been happening with prices, I think Declan will be blowing that out the water when it comes around.’
Arsenal are believed to have made Rice their top target for the summer transfer window and have plenty of cash to spend, with failed moves for Caicedo and Mykhailo Mudryk giving them plenty of funds to play with.
Although the Gunners brought in Jorginho in a £12m deal from Chelsea on deadline day, he is only seen as a stop-gap and Arteta is keen to make a big play for Rice.
moacinrsu
0
Wait u said Arsenal will have to break transfer record for who? Mitoma or Rice?
Nibklmptz
0
Who's this Rice after all super hyping
lisabdeinu
0
My problem with English media is that they overhype their players... ice is not worth more than £40 million
fiylnopry
0
Is it by force to sign him , nobody is going to break any record for him , keep him if you can
Stevenong
0
I think westham Shd just keep him. Nobody going to pay that stupid amt of money for him
Madcap_237
0
Lmao Arsenal is not Man City or Chelsea. We don't Giveaway free money. And also we don't always buy star players.......we create em. We Got Charlie Patino. end of story
Lol I dig you😂🙏
malablata
0
Chelsea can do that, we don't do such here.
Gunners4ever❤
1
U really seem to like tht Zubimendi guy lol I've got to watch him play
He's Spanish Rice.
Madcap_237
1
I hope we sign Zubimendi for his release clause and Tielemans for free next summer if Rice doesn't turn out to be feasible. That's our midfield fixed for less than £50m.
U really seem to like tht Zubimendi guy lol I've got to watch him play
Chelsea2theBone
1
if westham gets relegated you can expect less hhh
Tiyaeimnpt
2
we don't need Rice we already have Andrey Santos the reason we have not been using him because his playing cup for for un21 Brazil so let them carry their overated rice
chukwuka29
5
we Chelsea are so happy.. we have this man..💖💖💖♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Bawaemnpt
1
He has a year left on his contract West Ham need to accept that they won't get as much money for him as they once would
Huhakmoru
0
let's leave him and sign Caicedo and Onana please maybe that money we will use and buy him will cost alot and maybe it can the two players
Gunners4ever❤
0
EXACTLY! Chelsea signed Enzo for 107M and West Ham are expecting MORE than that amount for Rice! Uh Uh I'm not rooting for tht move honestly! It's either Tielemans or Caicedo next season. Unless West Ham accept Anything not more than the 107M landmark....
I hope we sign Zubimendi for his release clause and Tielemans for free next summer if Rice doesn't turn out to be feasible. That's our midfield fixed for less than £50m.
Madcap_237
1
Who cares Chelsea signed Enzo for £107m we have to get Rice at all costs. Or else go for Zubimendi who has a €52.5m release clause.
EXACTLY! Chelsea signed Enzo for 107M and West Ham are expecting MORE than that amount for Rice! Uh Uh I'm not rooting for tht move honestly! It's either Tielemans or Caicedo next season. Unless West Ham accept Anything not more than the 107M landmark....
powaknoz
1
Chelsea don’t need him anymore
Gunners4ever❤
0
Arteta will transform him into a CDM if necessary lol Paying more than 100M for Rice is ABSURD
Who cares Chelsea signed Enzo for £107m we have to get Rice at all costs. Or else go for Zubimendi who has a €52.5m release clause.
miebcdklmy
1
Wait and loose him for free..You can't have him against his will. Contract is running down day by day.
Yes you are right
Richyrichcfc93765
0
Chelsea will be scared to be caught up in what Man City has found themselves. The monopoly of Chelsea won't work nor win them trophies, they will not qualify for Europe, not for Champions league. Rice needs Arsenal
Chelsea don't even need him anymore, Arsenal can have him 🙈
Richyrichcfc93765
4
So up till now Moyes don't even know Chelsea are not interested in Declan Rice anymore!... please someone should help him.
Nocclopuyz
2
Take your fucking over hype rice away
Vetcimnops
0
Wait and loose him for free..You can't have him against his will. Contract is running down day by day.
Madcap_237
1
Patino can't play CDM.
Arteta will transform him into a CDM if necessary lol Paying more than 100M for Rice is ABSURD
Richforever17
0
simply because he's an English player... over hyped Midfielder
Nemabekmu
1
overated English players
Etilomi0147
1
He has a year to run out his contract with you fools!!
Gunners4ever❤
0
Lmao Arsenal is not Man City or Chelsea. We don't Giveaway free money. And also we don't always buy star players.......we create em. We Got Charlie Patino. end of story
Patino can't play CDM.
Mysterial
1
Chelsea will be scared to be caught up in what Man City has found themselves. The monopoly of Chelsea won't work nor win them trophies, they will not qualify for Europe, not for Champions league. Rice needs Arsenal
tuneday_atm
1
We don’t need Rice anymore… We have Enzo 🙌🏿
KG_Baby
5
when his contract runs down let's see how much you'll get 😬
blueLion01
1
we don't want mr rice anymore
Yuoabopz
1
yull rival fans are jealous of Chelsea money Chelsea are of wise owners . can't touch Chelsea . Chelsea has their feet in the fa,s throat.anyway nor rice for Chelsea just Enzo
heeacnry
1
Before he know he is sack
Young_Otieno
3
mark my comment, "Arsenal will NEVER spend more than 50m on Rice or beans or whatever"
layon
0
Arsenal dont have an unlimited budget, we can go for Onana (everton) & leave Rice for Chelsea
adepsalm19
1
Lmao Arsenal is not Man City or Chelsea. We don't Giveaway free money. And also we don't always buy star players.......we create em. We Got Charlie Patino. end of story
U people became wise after Pepe giveaway 🤣🤣🤣
adepsalm19
1
Keep ur Rice or give it to Arsenal, Chelsea don’t need him anymore
Dihcdtyz
5
Keep your Rice to yourself Moyes,Chelsea already have rice and beans in one Enzo🔥🔥💙💙
Worldbest19
1
Lmao Arsenal is not Man City or Chelsea. We don't Giveaway free money. And also we don't always buy star players.......we create em. We Got Charlie Patino. end of story
Pepe money nah troway money not giveaway
Ikomendiso
2
Rice not worth more than 70mil
momenhuda
0
Why Chelsea need another 100m?
leaabeltyz
0
will don't need rice will only need beans yeye coach
Suubdlnuz
0
he has won nothing yet to break a bank...AF tricks for marketing strategy
Laackmrsuy
2
For what ??
Gideonice
0
Who need rice are you well
danriwbik
1
See this mad coach...seems like u are on weed🤣😂
Jasperwolezzy1
0
He was overpriced last summer Now you can see they just a one season wonder Last season was their best season and moyes keep saying it’s priced at 150million Now I can’t even buy him 35million euro 💶
chango25
2
Lmao Arsenal is not Man City or Chelsea. We don't Giveaway free money. And also we don't always buy star players.......we create em. We Got Charlie Patino. end of story
Yes Absolutely bro
couadmntz
0
and how many trophy you people have collect since 20 years