David Moyes believes West Ham midfielder Declan Rice will blow the British transfer record “out of the water” should he leave the club this summer.
Standard Sport understands the Hammers are increasingly resigned to losing the 24-year-old at the end of the season, with Arsenal having emerged as frontrunners to sign him.
The England international was in fine form as Moyes’ side battled to a draw away at in-form Newcastle as Lucas Paqueta cancelled out Callum Wilson’s early opener.
Rice, who has only 18 months to run on his contract, has rejected several offers of a new deal and the club have privately accepted they will need to sell or risk missing out on a major windfall.
Moyes, however, insists it would take a record-breaking sum to sign the midfielder.
Long-term admirers Chelsea broke the British transfer record on deadline day with the £106.8m signing of Enzo Fernandez and Moyes believes Rice boasts a higher value.
Speaking after the draw at St James’ Park, the Scot said: "He’ll be a British transfer record if he ever leaves West Ham.
"There’s a lot of talk about it and when you see what’s going about for the prices, I think Dec will be blowing that out of the water, that’s for sure, when it comes around."
