Ferdinand approves of Rice’s £90m Arsenal move insisting he’d ‘go to another level’ at the Emirates

Rio Ferdinand believes Declan Rice would ‘go to another level’ if he joins Arsenal this summer, but remains unsure whether the Gunners can reach an agreement needed to pry him away from West Ham.

Mikel Arteta’s side exceeded all pre-season expectations to assert themselves as the only challengers to Manchester City but ultimately fell short as Pep Guardiola’s men clinched a third straight title.

With Granit Xhaka expected to leave the Emirates for Bayer Leverkusen this summer, a midfield reinforcement – in the shape of Rice, who is Arsenal’s primary target, is paramount.

Speaking on the Vibe with Five Youtube show, Ferdinand stopped short of proclaiming the young Englishman as the best midfielder on the planet but said he believes Rice would improve Arsenal’s first-choice side.

‘If [Bukayo] Saka comes out of the team, what’s coming in?’ Ferdinand said. ‘If Gabriel Martinelli comes out, is there really a good enough replacement at that level?

The former Manchester United man reckons Rice could get even better with a summer move to Emirates

The highly-rated Englishman is one of the most sought after talents this summer after starring for the Hammers this term 

‘Trossard has done well, but I just think if [Martin] Odegaard comes out of the team, [William] Saliba comes out of the team defensively you capitulate.

‘Partey started the game at right-back on Sunday! These things here, you need a few squad fillers that can come in and impact your first XI, because your first XI has shown that they’re very good.

‘But then I think you need a couple to come in and improve the starting XI. Declan Rice does improve your starting XI, no doubt for me, if you do go and get him.

‘But it’s whether the price is going to be a price that Arsenal agree with and that West Ham accept. I think there might be a big disparity between where both clubs are at the moment.’

Arsenal have identified Rice as their No 1 target this summer but the England star is also of interest to Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

Mail Sport reported last week that United had joined the race for Rice, while reports yesterday suggested Bayern were willing to pay £95m for the 24-year-old. 

Ferdinand added: ‘If they can close that gap and get it done, I think Declan Rice, as part of your culture driving, as having somebody that wants to improve, that can improve others, that gels squads together, he’s a real team player. 

Arsenal have led the race to sign Rice but fresh interest from Bayern casts doubt on a potential signing

‘That’s not even talking about his ability as a footballer, I think he’s fantastic. And I think there’s levels to jump for him ability-wise.

‘He’s someone that wants to learn and is always striving to improve. And I think doing that at a club like Arsenal – whose aspirations are different to West Ham, no disrespect, they are – I think he’ll have a real opportunity to really improve himself as a player and go to another level.’