West Ham prepare bumper new deal for Declan Rice

West Ham United are reportedly ready to double Declan Rice’s wages to tie him down to a new contract amid Chelsea links.

Rice was one of Chelsea’s top transfer targets in the summer, but Frank Lampard failed to land the 21-year-old.

The Blues remain hell-bent on signing the England international in one of the upcoming transfer windows, though.

However, West Ham are also keen on keeping hold of their star holding midfielder. They are willing to adjust the player’s salary accordingly, too.

As reported by the Daily Star, the Hammers are preparing a bumper new deal for Rice that would see the player’s £60,000-a-week wages doubled.

Despite his contract at the London Stadium expiring in 2024, David Moyes wants to make sure to have his headline performer tied to fresh terms.

The versatile defensive midfielder has not missed a single minute of top-flight action for Moyes’ side this season. His importance to the team is immense despite a lack of impact in the final third.

Rice performs a central role in West Ham’s build-up play, directing the game with his pinpoint passing and composure on the ball.

The former Chelsea youth academy member already has over 100 Premier League appearances under his belt and is widely considered one of the brightest prospects in England.

Indeed, Rice has not only established himself as an indispensable first-team player at West Ham, but he has also become vital to Gareth Southgate’s England set-up.

It’s, therefore, not strange that Lampard wants to have such a player at his disposal at Stamford Bridge.

The English manager improved almost every area of the pitch during the summer. But, adding Rice still remains one of his priorities.