It could well be Declan Rice's last season at West Ham as interest in his signature ramps up heading into 2022...

What's the word?

According to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, there is set to be a massive transfer tussle between three of the Premier League's biggest clubs in a bid to win the race for the 22-year-old England international.

"It's a big race for Declan Rice, because he is in the list for Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United," he revealed to his 'Here We Go' podcast this week.

Whilst he is unlikely to depart the London Stadium in January, it seems likely that the Irons star will leave in the summer, with The Athletic echoing such thoughts.

They claim that the Hammers are aware of Rice's ambitions to win trophies and play Champions League football, whilst he's under contract until 2024.

Moyes nightmare

Moyes could be fighting a losing battle here, so it may soon become his worst nightmare in east London.

Rice was already performing at an exceptional level last season and at Euro 2020 but somehow, he's elevated his game even more. It's no wonder the three big dogs are pursuing him.

The 27-cap beast, who is currently valued at £63m by Transfermarkt, is once again proving to be a crucial cog in this Irons squad.

As per WhoScored, Rice is averaging a 7.31 rating (fourth-best), having provided two assists, whilst he tops the charts for interceptions per game (two) and passing accuracy (92.4%), despite managing a whopping 61.1 passes each outing.

After West Ham's win over Everton at the weekend, Moyes waxed lyrical about his midfield talisman and vice-captain, re-iterating just how influential he is to their success.

"It would be very hard to say how good he was. He was excellent," he told reporters (via football.london). "For me, he was head and shoulders above everybody on the pitch today, he passed it, took control, wanted the ball, received the ball and tried to create opportunities."

Just a few days later, Sky Sports pundit and United legend Gary Neville added further fuel to the fire by urging him to leave the club [Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, 18/10].

"I think the development will be at some point, and West Ham fans won’t like me saying this, that he’ll somehow have to obviously transfer to a club that’s going to the Champions League, where he plays in midfield with high expectations, where he’s playing against teams that are dropping deep every week. I think he meets the demands on players to be good on the ball, to drive with the ball. I think he’s a good defender as well. He’s got a massive physique and he’s got good speed."

On the above evidence, fans should probably be resigned to the fact that Rice isn't going to stick around forever, no matter how big his love is for the club.

As we saw with Jack Grealish's move to Manchester City this summer, some things are just too good to turn down and that scenario could well repeat itself with the West Ham star.

Moyes will be gutted to lose such an integral part of his squad, that's for sure.

AND in other news, West Ham handed double injury boost ahead of Genk clash...