TalkSPORT host Hugh Woozencroft was left shocked on air when he heard of the big-money price tag being placed on West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. 

The lowdown: Eye-watering money

This comes after a report from the Evening Standard claimed that the Hammers would demand a £150million fee to allow their top asset to leave the London Stadium.

Regularly linked with moves to the likes Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City, the East London club have seemingly doubled down on their intentions to keep Rice after David Moyes suggested that £100m was too low.

However, the suggested new valuation has caused somewhat of a stir.

The latest: Woozencroft flabbergasted

Speaking live on talkSPORT, as cited on Twitter, morning show host Woozencroft suggested that the mooted fee was 'ludicrous' money for the England international.

He said: “I think he's an absolutely brilliant player, everything that was said about him is absolutely spot on and he's still not worth £150m.

“It's a ludicrous price tag, it's absolutely ludicrous. Some players are, believe me. I hate this argument. 'He's worth £150m to West Ham'. Why is he worth £150m to West Ham?

“He doesn't score goals, doesn't get assists. He's not a centre-forward that scores you 30 goals a year. Attacking players are the ones with huge premiums on them, if we are talking £150m, we are talking match-winners.

“He can't make the difference on his own, he massively improves West Ham United, of course. He should be playing at a top club, we can all see it.

“I can tell you he's worth a lot of money to West Ham. Has he yet been the difference between West Ham being mid-table and Champions League? I don't think he has been yet.”

The verdict: An outstanding talent

Holding a market value of £67.50million and under contract until 2024 (Transfermarkt), the club certainly are well within their rights to demand huge money for their key man.

As Moyes continues to push the current crop to improve, keeping hold of the likes of Rice will be imperative in order to move on to the next step, and if he does leave they will need the massive investment to put back into the squad and ensure this push for Champions League football is not a one-off.

Whilst the lure of a move to the likes of Manchester City or Liverpool would be difficult to ignore, as things stand and with potential Europa League glory on the horizon, the Hammers must be confident of staving off interest once again this summer.

In other news: West Ham eye summer move for Championship starlet. Read more here