Declan Rice isn’t worth anything close to £100m and Arsenal should only stretch as far as £60m to sign the West Ham captain.
That’s the view of former Gunner Paul Merson, who believes the midfielder has proven himself as a ‘top player’.
The England ace is expected to leave the Stadium this summer and the Hammers are resigned to cashing in on the midfielder.
However, despite reluctantly coming round to the idea that they can no longer stand in Rice’s way, West Ham look set to charge a British transfer record fee for the 24-year-old.
The Hammers want north of £100m for the midfielder but that comes against a backdrop of Rice being criticised by Graeme Souness and Roy Keane for being ‘limited’.
Merson insists that Rice’s game is more defensively-minded and that his numbers would improve if he was to play in a more attacking team like Arsenal.
But, though he says Rice is a ‘top player’, Merson says the midfielder is worth nowhere near £100m.
Speaking about England’s win against Italy, Merson said: ‘I thought had a very strong game in the middle of the park. The £100million price tag that’s been placed on his head really hasn’t helped him.
‘Now his critics are saying ‘well he’s not worth £100m’ and the way that comes across, it’s like he’s not rated when he definitely is. I like Rice, he’s a top player but I think he’s worth closer to £50m or £60m. Kane is what I would consider a £100m player.
‘My fellow pundits have said he doesn’t score enough goals but his game isn’t really about that, although I do think he would score more if he played in a more attacking team such as Arsenal. I expect Rice to leave in the summer, I don’t know who he will join, but it’s time for him to move on.’
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