West Ham transfer news: Declan Rice is 'major priority' this summer

Journalist Pete O’Rourke reckons that keeping Declan Rice is going to be a top priority for West Ham this summer.

Rice has been one of the standout players in the Premier League this season, which has caught the attention of some of England’s top clubs.

The West Ham man, capped 27 times for England, might have more than two years remaining on his Hammers contract, but he is already on the radar of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, who are all keen to strengthen their midfield department with the signing of the 23-year-old.

Rice, who is worth £100m according to David Moyes, has been gaining plaudits for some time, although he’s taken his game up a level in recent months. Following on from an impressive European Championships when he started every game on route to England’s final defeat to Italy, he’s continued his growing-reputation at club level.

Only Jarrod Bowen (7.31) has a higher WhoScored rating than Rice this season, and he’s scored an incredible eight goals and added eight assists for the Hammers, highlighting exactly what is required right now to be outperforming Rice.

Rice and Bowen’s form might have been exceptional, but West Ham are struggling in their fight for top four and have only won five of their last 15 Premier League games after drawing with Newcastle on Saturday.

Summer additions are therefore likely to be needed for Moyes, but O’Rourke believes that holding onto Rice is a “major priority” for the club.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Keeping Declan Rice is going to be a major priority for the club this summer, because I’m sure we will have another transfer window with speculation around Rice, where he might be playing his football next season and the price that West Ham might be demanding for