David Moyes has once again warned Manchester United and Chelsea that Declan Rice is not for sale - at any price.
Rice has evolved into one of Europe's most sought-after midfielders over the past couple of years in the wake of his stunning form for West Ham. The England star has been linked with the majority of the Premier League's big-hitters during that period; including Chelsea and United, who are both long-term admirers of 23-year-old.
The Hammers have tried to tie Rice down to a new long-term deal in recent months to try and ward off interest from elsewhere, but their talisman has so far refused to ink a new contract.
However, West Ham are adamant that Rice is still not for sale this summer - a stance that Moyes reiterated when he was asked if the club had received any offers for their midfield star. Speaking to The Daily Mail, Moyes said on Rice: "No bids. We wouldn’t be taking any, anyway. We’ve said all along he’s not for sale."
Previous reports have claimed that it would take a bid in excess of £150million for the Hammers to even consider parting ways with Rice, who was recently confirmed as the club's new captain following Mark Noble's retirement.
It was expected that valuation would deter interest from Chelsea and United; although both are expected to test West Ham's resolve next summer.
Join the debate! Who do you think will win the race for Rice if West Ham do decide to cash in on their star man in the next 12 months? Let us know here.
As well as impressing domestically, Rice has also established himself as a key figure in the England team. Rice started every match for Gareth Southgate's side during their historic run to the Euro 2020 final last summer.
Rice has struck up an impressive partnership with Kalvin Phillips for the national team; another midfielder whose stock has sky-rocketed over the past 12 months. The Hammers were keen to pair Phillips up with Rice in their own engine room, but their approach for the 26-year-old was rebuffed by Leeds United back in January.
Phillips has since gone on to earn a big-money move to Manchester City, who shelled out £45m to sign the midfielder earlier this week. But Moyes revealed that West Ham had offered Leeds a higher sum for Phillips' services back in the winter transfer window.
Speaking on Phillips' switch, Moyes added: "We bid more than that. We’re trying to be competitive with the big teams. If we can’t, we have to find another way of keeping up with them."
