Declan Rice has evolved into one of the world's best midfielders in recent years.

The 23-year-old is without doubt West Ham United's most important player and is also one of the first names on Gareth Southgate's England team sheet.

Rice really is the complete midfield package these days and it's why the Hammers are so desperate to keep him beyond this season.

Without him holding everything together in the middle of the park, you feel the progress made by the club in 2021/22 will have been mostly for nothing.

And West Ham have now played their hand with regards to Rice's immediate future.

According to talkSPORT's Jim White, David Moyes' side have offered their talisman an enormous eight-year contract (the same length as Alan Pardew's at Newcastle United) with wages worth around £200,000-a-week.

White said: “Let me tell you the lengths West Ham are going to keep Declan Rice at the football club. It is my understanding that West Ham are 99 per cent certain they will not sell Declan Rice this summer.

LYON, FRANCE - APRIL 14: Declan Rice of West Ham United celebrates following their sides victory after the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final Leg Two match between Olympique Lyon and West Ham United at Parc Olympique on April 14, 2022 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

“Declan Rice has been offered an eight-year deal at West Ham United worth £200,000-a-week on a rising scale to match inflation.

“An eight-year deal worth £200,000-a-week. At this stage he is showing no inclinations to sign it.

“This eight-year deal could become a ten-year deal, if Declan and his people wanted such a deal worth £200,000-a-week."

Mental, right? The salary quoted by White would make Rice comfortably West Ham's highest-paid player.

NORWICH, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Declan Rice of West Ham United reacts during the Premier League match between Norwich City and West Ham United at Carrow Road on May 08, 2022 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

Going by the figures on Spotrac, he'd be on £80,000-a-week more than anybody else in the squad, with Kurt Zouma's £120,000-a-week wages currently the largest.

It's a bold move from the Hammers and it will be very interesting to see how the story develops in the coming days.

Rice has been heavily linked with a move elsewhere this summer, with Manchester United reportedly making him one of their top targets.

West Ham have slapped a £150 million price tag on him, though, which could put potential suitors off for the time being.

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If Rice eventually puts pen to paper on the aforementioned eight-year contract, the figure to acquire his services would almost certainly move way over the the £200 million mark - and that would be a world record fee.

Over to you, Declan...