Former West Ham United man Tony Cottee believes David Moyes can fend off Chelsea’s interest in midfielder Declan Rice if the club’s willing to offer him a new lucrative deal.
Cottee told The Sun: “As far as I’m concerned the only two signings to be bothered about are David Moyes and Declan.
“I’m pretty sure that even now, with his elevated status, Dec will not be earning the same kind of money as the top men in the squad. But he’s their most valuable player and in time will become the next captain after Mark Noble.
“I know he signed a five-year deal not so long ago but get him tied down and up there with the bigger earners and make him a bedrock of the future team.
“We all know other teams are interested. West Ham should be acting to secure Declan, so he is not allowed to drift into the last two years of his contract and possibly leave on a free transfer.”
Frank Lampard is desperate to sign Declan Rice and many reports claim Chelsea will make a move for him during the January transfer window itself.
We are not sure if West Ham United will agree to sell him during the middle of the season but most pundits feel it’s only a matter of time before the England international decides to make the move across London.
Declan Rice signed a new deal at West Ham in 2018 and that contract expires in the summer of 2024. Theoretically, the Hammers are under no pressure to sell the midfielder but if Chelsea are willing to pay the claimed £80-90 million transfer fee then it will be very hard for David Moyes to turn a blind eye.
All in all, we do feel Chelsea will try and make a move this month but any official business for Declan Rice will only happen once the 2020-21 season comes to an end.
