Rio Ferdinand has praised Declan Rice's "leadership" and has called on his former club Manchester United to make a move for the West Ham United midfielder. football.london understands Chelsea have a long standing interest in the 23-year-old England international.
Rice, who was released by Chelsea as a teenager, has established himself as one of the Premier League's strongest midfielders in recent seasons. The Blues, as well as Manchester United, have been strongly linked with making a move for the Hammers star.
Ferdinand has now told new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag to consider a move for Rice to add some much-needed steel to the side's midfield. Speaking on Vibe with FIVE, the former England centre-back said: "He brings to us an element that I think has been lacking at Man United and I think his leadership – for one so young, he's going to be 24 this summer – [is brilliant].
READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel given Declan Rice transfer stance amid £150million Chelsea and Man United talks
"That's not to say he hasn't got the ability, the kid's got ability, he's improving every single season you've seen him. He's added bits to his game.
"Last year, he added goals, the ability to drive with the ball from midfield. He's defensively getting more acute and more understanding of the game, an absolute sponge of the game, educating himself all the time, always asking questions, always wants to know X, Y and Z.
"That's the type of player, the type of character that Man United need in their squad. Forget ability sometimes, there might be players with more ability in that position than him, more technical maybe than him, but what he lacks in that area, which won't be by a lot, anything he lacks in that area he more than makes up for it in the other critical areas that United need most."
West Ham are determined not to sell Rice this summer and will not entertain any offers for the England international, a club source recently told football.london. Rice has less than two years remaining on his contract at the London Stadium, meaning his value theoretically should fall over the next 12 months.
Intermediaries have approached West Ham in the past regarding a move for Rice, but the answer from the Irons has always been that the former Chelsea academy midfielder is not for sale. The Hammers value Rice at around £150million despite his contract situation.
West Ham boss David Moyes, when speaking in April about Rice, said: "The first thing to say is that he is not for sale. If you are interested, well, it will be north of that.
"£100m was cheap last summer. £150m just now would be the minimum but he is not for sale. What I do know is that it means there are only certain clubs that could even consider it."
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