West Ham United enjoyed a relatively quiet window, as they made just two new additions of which only one is expected to have an instant impact.

However, as is often the case when clubs the stature of the Hammers boast a player of Declan Rice's ability, holding onto those assets boosts what may seem like an initially barren transfer month into a period of success.

Whilst his touted exit never really picked up any traction last month, it was widely reported that Arsenal had entered the race for his signature, joining the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

All three are set to go head-to-head for the £60k-per-week leader this summer.

What might have worried David Moyes at the back end of the month was seeing the Gunners throw huge bids in for Moises Caicedo, which Brighton and Hove Albion continued to reject.

Had they not opted for Jorginho, they could have turned their focus and seemingly deep pockets towards Rice.

His Scottish manager's recent comments do suggest that a fee well above that might be needed to pry him from the London Stadium, as he claimed: "Undoubtedly Declan is going to be a top player. And undoubtedly he’ll be a British transfer record and more whenever he leaves West Ham.”

The 59-year-old would only double down by stating once more: "I think Declan will be blowing that (British record) out of the water, that’s for sure, when it comes around.”

This notion comes just weeks after the Blues had signed Enzo Fernandez to smash that record where Rice is expected to go one further.

There is a reason for such widespread interest, as the 24-year-old has proven himself a rock-solid midfield general who already captains his club and is a mainstay in the England team.

For every world-class team, they crave a player like West Ham's engine room star at its foundation.

This is only supported by the claims of writer Toby Cudworth, who was full of praise for the midfielder. He wrote: "What an athlete, what a player, what a leader. Declan Rice is world-class".

When compared to other players in his position across Europe, there are few who can compete in the metrics that really matter. He ranks in the top 5% for interceptions per 90, and also in the top 7% for pass completion and top 10% for progressive passes, via FBref.

Rice is adept at breaking up the play but has the confidence and quality to launch his side on the counter with an incisive forward ball. This kind of intelligence and maturity is seldom seen across the continent, especially in players as young as he is.

He is fully deserving of his 7.26 average Sofascore rating, of which makes him comfortably the highest performer at his club.

What he does for a team can often be overshadowed, but he will forever be viewed as the "unsung hero" by journalist John Cross.

Whilst a move might be on the cards following the conclusion of this campaign, keeping him for these all-important months could be imperative in securing their place in the Premier League.

Mark Noble might not have been busy with incomings in January, but his greatest success thus far can remain that he did not oversee the outgoing of their star man.