Former England goalkeeper David James has told Declan Rice to join Manchester City and questioned why the West Ham captain would be considering a move to Arsenal.
Rice is the subject of an intense three-way bidding war between Arsenal, Manchester United and Premier League champions City with the midfielder granted permission to leave the Hammers if their triple digit valuation is met.
The Gunners were thought to be in pole position for his signature before City's late intervention, meanwhile Man United are monitoring the situation and are reportedly considering making a player-plus-cash offer.
However, James thinks it should be an easy choice for Rice to make and brutally told Rice to reject Arsenal's advances in favour of a move to the Etihad.
'Why would he want to play for Arsenal? One team are the European, FA Cup and Premier League champions - the other is neither, or none,' he told Sky Sports.
'I'd rather he went abroad. Because then he won't be in a team that might want to beat West Ham and that would be something I think a lot of West Ham fans wouldn't like.
'Declan is top-drawer and Man City are the best team in Europe - and are probably going to be the best team in the world in few months if they win the Club World Cup.
'If Declan Rice is part of that it's because he deserves to be, so all the best to him if it happens,' he added.
James' preference for the defensive midfield star to move to the north west should come as no surprise given his career links to Pep Guardiola's side.
The now-retired shot-stopper made 100 appearances for Manchester City and similarly featured between the sticks for West Ham 104 times.
Rice could be set to have the final say on his next destination if both Arsenal and City meet his £100million asking price this summer with the fee not expected to be a stumbling block for either club.
There were initial concerns over the payment period offered by Arsenal, however they appear to have refocused their efforts after reports of Man City's interest.