£80 million rated midfielder warned about making Chelsea move this summer

West Ham legend Tony Carr has warned Declan Rice off a move to one of the “big guns”, with Chelsea keen on a deal.

Rice has been an outstanding player for the Hammers this season and is easily now one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League, with Frank Lampard reportedly ready to pay big money to try and get a deal done.

However, ahead of the summer window, Carr, who spent 43 years working in the Hammers’ youth ranks, hopes interest can be fended off, telling the We Are West Ham Podcast: “I’m a little bit concerned. I hope he stays, I really do.

“He’s developing into a top player. His goal the other night against Watford – terrific.

“You could see the look on his face, the pleasure it gave him. And the hug he gave to David Moyes on the touchline when the goal went in sends great signs and signals he’s happy there and wants to stay.

“Unfortunately, sometimes agents get involved – I’m not saying this is Declan’s agent – but if someone says ‘we’re going to double your money if you come to us’, it’s hard to turn down and let loyalty be the deciding factor.

“I hope it doesn’t come to that. I hope he just comes out and says ‘I’m happy to stay at West Ham, I’m still developing as a player, they’ve brought me from obscurity, released from Chelsea, and now into the England team’.”

Carr added, with Rice seemingly set to have some big decisions to make on his future: “My message to Dec is this: ‘Stay where you are pal. You’re young enough and there’s still plenty of time to go to the big guns. Just keep establishing yourself by being a regular in the team.

“You’re in the England team because you’re in West Ham’s first team, you don’t need to go anywhere else’.

“He’s now an integral part of that West Ham team and in some respects, he’s taking up Mark Noble’s mantle. If he stays, over time he’s going to be a future captain I’m sure.”

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