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West Ham are reportedly prepared to work on sorting a new long-term deal for their star player Declan Rice, who attracted interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea in the summer.

According to the Sun, the midfielder is currently on a £60,000-a-week contract at the London Stadium and that has three years remaining on it.

It is claimed that the Hammers want to protect the transfer value of the player by tying him down to a new deal, amid interest from Chelsea as well as other big clubs in England.

The report explains that David Moyes’ side want to secure his future on a long-term basis and are willing to make him one of their top earners on £120,000-a-week.

Rice has gone from strength to strength since breaking into the West Ham first-team a few years ago and there’s now a strong case to be made that he’s their most important player.

He is a nailed-on starter in the centre of the park, where he operates as a defensive midfielder sweeping up in front of the backline and breaking up play.

The senior England international is also extremely comfortable in possession and continues to grow when it comes to the offensive side of his game.

TBR’s View:

Rice dropped a midfield masterclass in the win over Leicester City before the international break and is oozing with confidence right now, as he’s formed a great partnership alongside teammate Tomas Soucek in the centre of the park.

It was so important that West Ham manager to keep hold of Rice this summer and they could have been in big trouble without him, but supporters will understandably be concerned about how much longer he will remain with them.

If the Hammers can climb up the table and show some real ambition, perhaps that can be enough to persuade the English enforcer to stay long-term.