Declan Rice told to follow in Mark Noble's West Ham footsteps as new club tipped with transfer

David James has urged Declan Rice to follow in Mark Noble's footsteps and remain at West Ham for his entire career amid transfer speculation linking the midfielder away from the club.

Despite Rice's uncharacteristic error on Saturday against Newcastle, the midfielder has been in superb form this season for the Hammers after shining for England during Euro 2020.

The 23-year-old has taken his game to a new level according to his manager David Moyes, adding an attacking element to his play and experiencing European club football for the first time.

Chelsea are one of a number of clubs thought to be interested in signing Rice, however, if the star is to leave West Ham former Hammer James believes Manchester City or Liverpool could be his destination.

"I love Declan Rice," James told GGRecon. "The West Ham side of me is saying: ‘No! He’s never going. He’s going to stay at West Ham until he’s 38!

"Rodri and Fernandinho are class acts. I think Declan’s more mobile and covers a lot more ground. I could see it [Rice playing alongside Rodri]. Dare I say it, I could even see him going to Liverpool. He’s got everything."

Despite the transfer speculation understand that West Ham have not received any bids for Rice and offers for the midfielder would not be welcome.

Moyes believes that the £100million quoted for Rice's services last summer would have been 'the sale' price and any interested parties missed their chance to get him on the 'cheap' but not moving for the England man last year.

With a contract at the Hammers until 2024 and the club holding a further one-year option on the deal West Ham are under no pressure to sell Rice and are planning for the long-term with the midfielder in mind.