Former Manchester United player Gary Neville believes that Declan Rice is not worth three figures

Former Manchester United player and pundit Gary Neville, while speaking to Sky Sports (h/t Manchester Evening News) believes West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice is not worth the hype but still sees him as part of a top team.

The 24-year-old Englishman has undoubtedly been West Ham’s best player over the past few seasons and many expect the midfielder to make a move to a bigger club in the summer transfer window.

Although reluctant to sell their prized asset, West Ham would want a fee in the region of £ 100 million for the midfielder and Neville believes Rice is not worth that amount of money.

“There’s no doubt for West Ham he’s their best player. He is influential. He’s been brilliant for England, I think the only sort of criticism comes in the supposed price tag being asked for him is around £100million.

When you get a £100million player you expect they are going to be the complete player, so from that point of view is Declan as good as say Rodri or Casemiro receiving the ball from the back four? Is he as good as say Bruno Fernandes going forward, or a player of that ilk? No.

He fits in between a little bit of both of them, there’s no doubt he’s an excellent player, great character, someone who is important to his club, but I think the challenge is who’s going to pay £100 million for him and is he that type of value? It’s not so much a criticism, more an observation around his ability relating to that price.”

While Neville might be correct in his assessment of Rice, it is a big possibility that a potential transfer concerning the player would reach the figure of £100 million or more.

The additional value given to English players in the market added to a lack of top-quality young central midfielders will certainly increase Rice’s transfer value.

All the big teams of the league will be after his signature with his current contract at West Ham expiring at the end of June 2024 and Rice has previously shown his inclination towards not signing a contract extension.

Hence, the summer transfer window ideally presents the perfect opportunity for us to test West Ham’s resilience in keeping hold of their captain.

Rice, alongside Casemiro, would instantly upgrade our midfield to one of the best in the league and a solid foundation in front of the back four.

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But, at the same time, there are more pressing issues in the squad which need addressing first. The need for a top-quality number nine is of utmost importance and definitely would be the area where the club will be willing to spend big.

A change of ownership could bring about an influx of funds and see us have a spectacular transfer window which could result in a potential title charge next season.