Teddy Sheringham believes West Ham should hold out for more than £150m for Declan Rice and has likened the midfielder to Steven Gerrard.
Rice has been linked with some of the Premier League’s leading clubs after an outstanding season for West Ham, with the midfielder having cemented his status as one of the division’s leading talents.
The 23-year-old has become an integral figure for club and country and Sheringham has likened Rice to another former England midfielder in Steven Gerrard.
The former Hammer’s forward believes Rice is now ‘up there with the top players in the world in midfield’ and believes West Ham should be commanding a record-breaking fee from any side looking to prise him from the London Stadium.
“I have to liken him to Steven Gerrard,” Sheringham told Genting Casino. “Not many players can eat up the ground like Declan – Gerrard used to do exactly the same, he used to overpower people in midfield.
“Add that to his passing ability, his understanding of the game, his knowledge of the game, he’s obviously getting led by Mark Noble. His desire, you can see how he loves the game and wants to get better.
“For me, he’s up there with the top players in the world in midfield at the moment, there’s no denying that. I think [head coach David] Moyes said something about him being a £100 million player, didn’t he?
“I’d hold on to him and say, ‘I want more than that, this player’s unbelievable, he’s better than that. If you really want this guy you’re going to have to break the bank and show me you think of him as much as I do, because I’m not letting him go for £100 million.’
“When the best centre forward in the world was up for sale in the summer, Tottenham wanted £200 million for him, the other clubs didn’t have that valuation. I’m going up to 150, 160 for Declan Rice.”
