EXCLUSIVE
Gabby Agbonlahor has branded Roy Keane as a 'very bitter person' following his scathing analysis on Declan Rice.
The Manchester United legend recently ripped into the West Ham skipper where he insisted he is nowhere near the price the club value him at.
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Hammers boss David Moyes has declared that a potential suitor would have to pay a British record transfer fee if they wish to sign the 24-year-old.
That figure currently stands at a whopping £106.8million following Enzo Fernandez's move to Chelsea from Benfica in January.
talkSPORT revealed in February that United had a £100m offer for the midfielder turned down last year.
And with Arsenal eyeing up a summer swoop for Rice, Agbonlahor was asked whether he believes Rice is worth the fee that West Ham are seeking.
Speaking on Saturday's Gameday Phone-In, he said: "The reason why I think he is, is because I've watched him for England when maybe he's got more of a freer role to go a bit more forward.
"But you watch him at West Ham, he's got to sit there, you've got [Tomas] Soucek who wants to get in the box and get on the end of crosses.
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"He hasn't got the license to run forward, when he's at it Declan Rice, he can run with the ball.
"He's got that long stride, he can score goals - [he's a] great striker of the ball.
"I think sometimes some of these pundits like Roy Keane - who is a bitter guy, I had him [as assistant manager] at Aston Villa, he is a very bitter person - has got something maybe against him.
"But he's what West Ham value him at."
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With Rice tied down at the London Stadium until 2024, it looks likely that the player will be on the move at the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta is claimed to have identified him as his No1 target as he plots a major overhaul at the Emirates.
But Rice will not be thinking about a summer switch with West Ham embroiled in a relegation battle.
Saturday's 4-0 defeat away at Brighton leaves the east London outfit in 16th spot - two points above the bottom three.
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