Ally McCoist admits he would be ‘really concerned’ if Declan Rice joined Manchester United and has urged Arsenal to pull off the ‘transfer of the summer’ by signing the West Ham midfielder.
Rice is expected to be on the move this summer with West Ham privately acknowledging they will have to allow him to leave for a Champions League club.
The 24-year-old has been West Ham’s most important player over the past four seasons and become a key member of Gareth Southgate’s England squad, playing in European Championships finals and World Cup knockout matches.
West Ham hope to start a bidding war for Rice as they value the England star at more than £100m and are aware of interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.
United have enjoyed a promising first season under Erik ten Hag – lifting the Carabao Cup and moving into the Champions League places – but McCoist would be ‘concerned’ if Rice moved to Old Trafford.
‘I’d be really concerned if he’d be going to Manchester United at this moment, I’ve got to be honest,’ the former Scotland striker told talkSPORT.
‘I think they’ve done really well, I’ve got to say. They’ve got to two cup finals and won the League Cup.
‘If they could win the FA Cup which they’ll be second favourites to do and finish in the top four I think it’s a more than acceptable season. I think it’s a really good season actually.
‘However, the last couple of games have just kind of set alarm bells ringing in my head looking at them. I think they’re probably farther away than I actually thought earlier in the season.
‘So I’m not sure Declan Rice should be going there.’
Ten Hag has reportedly made Rice his top summer target but will face competition from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
McCoist says Liverpool are ‘crying out’ for a player like Rice and urged Premier League title challengers Arsenal to sign the West Ham midfielder, but doubts Chelsea will launch a move.
‘Look, Liverpool’s midfield is crying out for Declan Rice, absolutely crying out for him,’ McCoist added.
‘Chelsea have got an excellent midfield and I don’t know if they’re going to spend that much money again this summer. They’ve spent the best part of half a billion pounds and are finishing in the bottom half, that’s not great.
‘I’ve got to be brutally honest here; if you’re an Arsenal fan, that’s the transfer of the summer.’
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