Gary Neville says most people accept that Declan Rice will leave West Ham "in the next year or two" and has urged both parties to follow how Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo handled his exit from the club in 2009.
Rushhoursport reported last week West Ham will not sell Rice this summer even if he does not sign a new contract.
The England midfielder has turned down several new deal offers and he is reported to be open to leaving this summer, with United and Chelsea both reportedly interested.
But Neville has highlighted how the club and player can learn from Ronaldo's Old Trafford exit 13 years ago, when the Portuguese forward joined Real Madrid.
Neville told Sky Sports: "Declan Rice, we know he’s going to leave in the next year or two.
"Because of the relationship, I think they can be really mature about this. I don’t think it has to be played out in the media. They can be really direct, honest and then communicate what they’re going to do.
"I don’t think there’s any reason to allow the speculation to destroy the dressing room spirit.
"When Cristiano [Ronaldo] left Man United the first time, it didn’t have an impact on the club because everyone knew what was happening. There was no sort of wondering what was happening, there was no speculation.
"I think West Ham and Declan Rice could afford to do that with this one because everyone recognises that it’s probably going to happen anyway."
