‘Get him tied down’: Tony Cottee wants West Ham to secure Declan Rice

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West Ham legend and former striker, Tony Cottee, has sent a frank warning to his former club when it comes to the future of star midfielder, Declan Rice.

Rice is under contract with the club under 2024 after signing a new five-year deal. He’s become a key figure for the club, cementing himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet for the Hammers.

And speaking to The Sun, Cottee believes that Rice should be given another new deal so he doesn’t have any sort of option to walk away or run his contract down over the coming years.

“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,” Cottee said.

“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.”

Rice has been a mainstay this season and has now also cemented himself in the England set-up as well. However, he’s been linked with Chelsea, with talks once again coming to the fore in the January window.

Cottee is correct, the Hammers need to show Rice how much he means – TBR View

Rice is so, so important to the cause at West Ham and despite the newer deal, he could probably still get himself a nice payrise and show his commitment to the the Hammers in the meantime.

The midfielder is going to be vital in the coming years both internationally and at club level. Cottee, then, makes a good point about keeping their main man tied down.