Declan Rice has insisted he remains happy at West Ham United despite continued speculation touting a move away from the London Stadium.
Manchester United are among several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, interested in a move for the defensive-midfielder.
United wanted to sign Rice last summer as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked to strengthen his midfield ranks but the Hammers didn't want to lose their talisman ahead of a maiden European campaign and were in a strong position as he had three years remaining on his contract.
West Ham slapped a massive £100million price tag on Rice, which was enough to put off his suitors, for a year at least.
Midfield remains United's biggest weakness and the Manchester Evening News understands that the club have earmarked the 22-year-old as their principal target for the position next summer and that key figures have already discussed the potential framework for a deal.
Despite the continued speculation surrounding his future, Rice remains happy with the Irons and hasn't allowed the rumours to impact his performances.
"Everyone knows how I feel about West Ham, how I feel about playing for the manager," Rice said.
"You can see in my performances nothing’s up, nothing’s concerning me. I’m playing with a smile on my face, I’m going out there, I’m leading the team. I think you could see a difference if I wasn’t going out there and giving 100% but every time I’m putting on the shirt – I’ve got the armband on at the moment – my only objective is to go out there and give everything for the club and get three points.
"With tomorrow night on the horizon, the only thought on my mind is to go out there and put on a performance for the fans and get the win."
Rice was speaking alongside his manager David Moyes ahead of West Ham's Europa League fixture with Rapid Vienna on Thursday and the Scot dismissed the suggestion that his player's commitment had lessened amid the continued speculation.
"Not at all because he’s such a good player," Moyes said. "I don’t like saying it in front of him but he’s arguably one of the best young midfield players in Europe, if not the best. If you’re in that position, every time he plays he’s got a responsibility for himself.
"He plays for England. Every time he turns out he has to play really well. There’s pressure on him enough. He gets told off enough by me as well, so he has to live with that as well. But overall we’re really happy with Declan and what he does. His performances have been excellent and I hope it continues."
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