Dean Ashton says Declan Rice is ‘nowhere near’ £100 million, urges West Ham stay

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Former West Ham United striker Dean Ashton has given his honest take on Declan Rice, and deemed the player ‘nowhere near’ a £100 million transfer valuation.

Rice has made a bright start to the 2019/20 season, and the 20-year-old has frequently made the back pages regarding a possible move away from the London Stadium in the not too distant future.

Manchester United are a team that have been credited with an interest in the player, with talk of West Ham placing a nine-figure valuation on their prized asset.

Speaking about the talented England star, Ashton said: “He reads the game very well, he breaks the play up superbly.

“On the ball nowadays, you want your holding midfield players to dictate tempo and I’m not quite sure he’s got that.

“I certainly wouldn’t be in any rush if I was Declan Rice. I think he’s in the right place to keep progressing his career.

“I don’t think he’s anywhere near a £100 million player. It is daft money nowadays, but I wouldn’t be saying that.”

TBR’s view – No rush for Rice

Ashton is right – Rice is in the best place right now and shouldn’t be looking to move on earlier than he needs to.

He is playing week in, week out and is a key player for the Hammers.

He has fantastic ability but is nowhere near the finished article, and a move too early could have a negative impact on his development

Obviously Rice isn’t a £100 million player – that huge figure exists purely to protect their asset and United would be highly unlikely to cough up such an amount.