Declan Rice slams ‘annoying’ Chelsea transfer links and West Ham price tag as he vows to ‘respect’ Hammers contract
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DECLAN RICE is fed up with "annoying" transfer rumours linking him with a move away from West Ham.
The midfielder, 23, has been made Hammers captain following the retirement of Mark Noble and has vowed to give his all to the club.
David Moyes placed a £150million price tag on him when asked about a possible sale, but that has not deterred interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
Rice admitted it is unhelpful to read about some of the figures attached to his name, especially as it is beyond his control.
In an interview with the England star said: "Every time I put on the shirt I go out there and give it 100 per cent and whatever happens off the pitch takes care of itself.
"I can't control that - what I can control is going out there and trying to be the best player.
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"It's annoying because of the numbers that get attached to your name.
"You can't control that at all, but there's stuff sometimes that you see and you read that you don't want to hear, because it's not really true in a way.
"For the last couple of seasons that's what I've done and that's the faith the manager has put in me, so all that speculation stuff, that's what comes with playing good, I suppose."
Fortunately, Rice does not let the endless rumours distract him when he's on the pitch.
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He remains as committed as ever to West Ham and the contract he has - though he has refused to put pen to paper on a new deal.
Rice added: "I think it's completely out of my mind [when on the field]. Nothing's officially happened.
"I've always said, until anything actually happens, there's no point talking about anything because I'm a West Ham player.
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"I have a contract with West Ham and I'll always respect that.
"I know that I'm going to be the captain of West Ham this season, I know it's an honour."