Declan Rice (foto: Official TW/IG/FB account)
David Moyes believes West Ham did not get full value for Declan Rice, insisting the midfielder was worth £150m despite his £105m move to Arsenal.
David Moyes has reignited debate over Declan Rice’s blockbuster move to Arsenal, claiming West Ham sold their former captain too cheaply.
Rice left the London Stadium in 2023 in a deal worth £105 million, but Moyes insists the England midfielder’s true value was far higher.
“I genuinely meant it at the time – I thought Declan was £150m,” Moyes said. “I thought we didn’t get enough at West Ham.”
Moyes managed Rice during his breakthrough years and will come up against him again on Saturday night, when Arsenal travel to face Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Scot revealed that West Ham did everything possible to keep Rice, but ultimately had no choice.
“We had offered Declan huge contracts but we couldn’t get him to stay,” Moyes added. “So the club had to do what they had to do.”
Despite the high-profile transfer, Moyes says his relationship with Rice remains strong.
“I’m still in touch with him. I’m going to abuse him on Saturday, maybe!” he joked.
Moyes also spoke warmly about Mikel Arteta, who he worked with during his first spell as Everton manager. Arteta made 209 appearances for the club between 2004 and 2012.
“Mikel was clever in his football thinking. He knew how he wanted to play,” Moyes said. “He’d been at PSG, Barcelona, Real Sociedad and Rangers. He’d seen good clubs with good set-ups.”
Moyes described Arteta as demanding but influential.
“He was a wee bit of a moaner at times! He wanted things done right. He was a great captain and a great player for us. One of my best signings.”
The Everton boss revealed the pair remain in contact, even after Arteta became a manager.
“He has rung me to ask for favours. He’s taken my players too cheaply in the past! He’s a good lad and he’s doing amazing.”
Everton face the match with significant selection problems. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye are away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
There is some positive news. Jack Grealish has been passed fit after his own hamstring issue, while midfielder Merlin Röhl has returned following hernia surgery.
Defender Jarrad Branthwaite remains a long-term absentee, though Everton hope he will return in early February.
With options limited, Everton could recall 18-year-old Harrison Armstrong from his loan spell at Preston North End, where he has impressed as the Championship side sit third in the table.
Moyes has personally watched Armstrong several times and sees him as a possible solution during a crucial period.