Ally McCoist believes that West Ham captain Declan Rice should joinArsenalrather than Manchester United this summer.
Rice, who could cost £100million,would prefer to join a Premier League club despite interest from Bayern Munich.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Rice and United are also interested in signing the 24-year-old.
McCoist feels that Rice would be best served by joining Arsenal as Erik ten Hag’s United are still ‘four or five players behind’Manchester City, who beat them in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Although McCoist acknowledged that Arsenal are ‘well behind’ City, he believes the Gunners can get closer to Pep Guardiola’s side more quickly.
Speaking ontalkSPORT, McCoist said: ‘If I’m Declan Rice and I’m weighing up my options, I’m probably thinking I’d rather go to Arsenal than Manchester United.
‘I looked at Manchester United at the weekєɴԀ, and I know they’ve won the League Cup, but they look as though they’re four or five players behind Manchester City. I still think Arsenal are well behind Manchester City, but I think they’ve got the potential to get nearer to them quicker.’
Arsenal are set to make an opening bid of £90m for Riceafter West Ham’s Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina on Wednesday.
Rice, who has spent his entire senior career to date at West Ham, is believed to be settled in London.
Arsenal, who are also interested in Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, believe that signing Rice would be a significant step in the right direction as Mikel Arteta’s side look to build on the progress that they made this season.
The Gunners finished in second place in the Premier League, five points behind champions City.
United, meanwhile, finished third, 14 points adrift of Guardiola’s team.
Rice has made 244 appearances for West Ham, and lifting the Europa Conference League trophy aloft would be an excellent way to sign off.
The England international possesses plenty of experience of playing at a high level and is now eager to test himself in the Champions League.
