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Premier League • England

David Moyes pulls no punches over Declan Rice to Man Utd transfer talk as star rates Arsenal prospects

Declan Rice, David Moyes, West Ham before Premier League game

David Moyes is gearing himself and West Ham up for a massive fight over the future of Declan Rice amid talk of a 2023 move to Manchester United or Chelsea.

The England star is regarded as one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League after some stellar performaces in the Hammers’ engine room. However, interest in Rice has never been keener with a string of top clubs all keen to recruit the 23-year-old.

And those rumours are starting to gather pace, with Rice himself admitting he has ambitions to win some trophies. Furthermore, one journalist is convinced West Ham will not stand in Rice’s way and will allow him to depart in summer 2023.

To add fuel to the fire, West Ham are also reportedly looking at a number of potential replacements. He will likely fetch a fee as high as £100m, with Liverpool joining United and Chelsea in keeping tabs on his situation.

A move to Anfield is certainly not out the question, with Liverpool learning why they have a strong chance of getting a deal done.

Yet the strongest rumours continue to come from Manchester United.

The Red Devils remain in the market for a new midfielder despite the summer signing of Casemiro. And the potential addition of Rice would add a certain know-how to Erik ten Hag’s midfield. And even Rice himself has been teasing a potential move to Old Trafford.

Either way, his deal at the London Stadium is currently due to expire in summer 2024. West Ham are desperate to tie Rice down to an extension.

However, an offer to make him the top earner in their history – on a reported £200,000 a week – has seemingly failed to convince Rice to commit.

David Moyes promises big fight over Declan Rice transfer

As such, a move away from the London Stadium is looking increasingly on the cards.

But despite claims that a move in 2023 now looks a certainty, Hammers boss David Moyes is not prepared to simply roll over and let Rice be poached away.

On the contrary, Moyes is very much up in the battle to keep Rice at West Ham.

Speaking after the Hammers’ 3-1 defeat at Arsenal on Boxing Day, Moyes was pulling no punches over his star’s future.

“He wants to win and he wants to play for a really good side, which is going to give him that opportunity to do so,” he told The Times.

“We hope that we can reach the Champions League. It is looking difficult at this time.

“But we’re not just going to roll over and let Dec walk out of the building, that is for sure. It is going to be a big fight.

“I like it because he wants to challenge himself and he wants to play in the big games and be a top player. I don’t think you’re ever going to hold anybody back from having those ambitions.

“He played as well as anybody and he was exceptional at the World Cup. For a young player he really takes on responsibility.

“You think about how he is going to be in another four or five years, how he will mature and improve as a player and a leader.

“All those things are all to come and it’s all ahead of him.”

Rice convinced by Arsenal title prospects

Rice, meanwhile, reckons Arsenal are the real deal in this season’s Premier League title race.

Said Benrahma’s penalty had given West Ham the half-time lead at Emirates Stadium. However, second-half strikes from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah secured Arsenal the win that puts them seven points clear at the top.

Man City can reduce the arrears to five points with a win at Leeds on Wednesday night. But in the meantime, Rice reckons the Gunners have what it takes to go all the way this season.

“100%,” said Rice emphatically when asked if Arsenal could go all the way in the Premier League title race.

“They are a top team, you can see they are coached incredibly well. They have a young squad with attacking talent and can go the whole way, that is for sure.

“They’re a good team. First half we tried as hard as we could to stop them but it’s really hard. In the end we came up short and it’s really frustrating.”

His manager, Moyes, agreed.

“We saw Leicester City win the league so it is not to say you cannot do it. Arsenal have a good side, good players,” he said.

“But Manchester City are waiting out there. Most people will say they are a step above others.”

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