Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised West Ham midfielder Declan Rice following the Hammers’ 2-1 defeat to his side yesterday afternoon.

Guardiola was full of compliments for how David Moyes had transformed the London club in recent years but he did single out Rice as being one of the team’s standout players:

“Declan Rice is an exceptional player.”

City, along with Chelsea and Manchester United are believed to be interested in signing Rice, so Guardiola’s remarks are not that surprising, but it remains to be seen whether any club will make a formal approach for the England international.

Recent investment from minority shareholder Daniel Kretinsky means the Irons are under no pressure to sell their best players, while Rice’s contract still has two and a half years left to run.

The 22-year-old is reportedly valued at around £120m by West Ham and it is unlikely that City or any other team would be willing to pay that much for him.