Man Utd and Man City target Declan Rice plays down talk he will quit West Ham to make transfer this summer
The England midfielder has been linked with a move away from the London Stadium this summer
DECLAN RICE dealt Manchester City and Manchester United a hammer blow last night - by saying he "loves being at West Ham".
The midfielder, 20, has two of the Premier Leagues biggest teams after him but appears happy as a Hammer.
Speaking to BT Sport, Rice said: "I’m happy. I’m playing week in week out. I have a special connection with the fans. It’s unbelievable [the London Stadium].
"I love every minute of being at West Ham.
"Being compared to players, being linked to other teams, I don’t really take any of it in to be honest.
"If you think about it too much you get caught up in it. I’m only 20, you’ve got your whole career ahead of you.
"I’m just focused on playing for West Ham and playing with a smile on my face and enjoying it."
And that is exactly what he has been doing of late - especially after earning his first England caps since switching allegience from Ireland.
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Although he was part of the Hammers side that fell to a first home defeat since December 22 yesterday as Everton took all three points thanks to goals from Kurt Zouma and Bernard.
SunSport exclusively revealed that new Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified Rice as one part of an English treble signing this summer, along with Jadon Sancho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
But it is Manchester City who remain the favourites to land the 'Basmati Busquets' in the upcoming transfer window if he decides to leave.
The Citizens will surely see Rice as the heir to Fernandinho's holding midfield throne at the Etihad.
Irons supporters' fears would have worsened this week when manager Manuel Pellegrini admitted the club could sell Rice, if the price is right.
The Chilean said: "As always, it is just a matter of price. There are big teams who decide to pay an important amount of money.
The West Ham fans are craving a new hero and they’ve got one in Declan. He is special, no question about it.
David Gold, West Ham joint chairman
"Sure, if it is a good deal for the club and the player and improves his career, then we can do it. But I know nothing about that yet."
But West Ham's hierarchy have been full of praise for their star - who joined the club aged 14 - over the last week.
Joint chairman David Gold told SunSport Rice can be the new Bobby Moore.
He said: "The West Ham fans are craving a new hero and they’ve got one in Declan. He is special, no question about it. He is an England captain of the future in my mind.
"He has a long way to go for sure but there are similarities between Declan and Bobby Moore. I saw Bobby when he first turned out at Upton Park.
"After 20 minutes I turned to my brother and said I thought this guy was a bit slow. An hour later I was watching Bobby glide across the pitch.
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"Declan is calm, assured. He floats like Bobby Moore did. I also noticed that it didn’t take him long to be yelling at more senior players during the game."
Meanwhile, writing in her weekly SunSport column, West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady added: "At 20 years of age, he is almost a veteran!
"We at West Ham are immensely proud our Dec is now a full England international having made his debut last week against the Czech Republic."
