Brady wants to keep hold of Rice

West Ham Vice-Chairman Karren Brady wants to keep hold of Declan Rice as long as possible while accepting that one club players like Trevor Brooking and Mark Noble are becoming very rare.

Brady wrote in her Sun Football Diary “How much we would like to keep Declan Rice for that long. He’s definitely the type. Not so very long ago, it would be the thing players hoped for. Today players are more mobile, attracted elsewhere by three things — prestige, trophies, money. No, sorry, there is a fourth. They are called agents and too many of them regard one-clubbers as a waste of money.”

Claret and Hugh say:

Rice’s recent form this season and his eventual selection for England next Wednesday will undoubtingly bring many admirers who will try to tempt the youngster over the next few transfer windows. West Ham will tell those who inquire that he is not for sale at any price but we all know everyone has a price and a bid over £90m would be too difficult to turn down. Maybe those mega bids are some way away but if he keeps on improving like he has this season that day will come.