David Moyes addresses 'big fight' to keep hold of West Ham star

West Ham manager David Moyes has acknowledged he is in for a ‘big fight’ to hold onto Declan Rice in 2023, but will do whatever he can to keep hold of his star player.

The 23-year-old midfielder has already made over 200 appearances for the Hammers since making his debut in 2018, establishing himself as one of England’s finest stars and also going on to make 39 appearances for his country to date.

However, Rice’s aspirations of playing at the highest echelons of the game means he is likely to have to leave West Ham at some point, particularly with the club enduring a difficult season in which they sit just a point above the relegation zone with four wins from their first 16 games.

Rice started his career in the youth ranks at Chelsea, which has also fuelled speculation of a return to Stamford Bridge, while he has also been linked with Manchester United and Manchester City at various points in time. Liverpool are also in the market for a midfielder.

Despite West Ham’s recent struggles, Moyes has made it clear he would not be letting Rice leave easily, telling reporters: “He wants to win and he wants to play for a really good side, which is going to give him that opportunity to do so.

“We hope that we can reach the Champions League. It is looking difficult at this moment in time but we are not just going to roll over and let Dec walk out of the building, that is for sure. It is going to be a big fight.

“I like it because he wants to challenge himself and wants to play in the big games and wants to be a top player. I don’t think you are ever going to hold anyone back from having those ambitions.”

The Hammers finished seventh in the Premier League last season, in addition to reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League, but so far have failed to replicate that form this season despite a notable summer spending spree.

Lucas Paqueta, Thilo Kehrer and Gianluca Scamacca were among the players brought to the London Stadium for large fees this past summer, yet so far the club’s form has only gone backwards and chances of European qualification are looking slim.