Paul Scholes says he wouldn’t pay ‘£100 million’ for Arsenal and Manchester United transfer target Declan Rice who ‘needs to leave’ West Ham United.

The Manchester United legend thinks Declan Rice is a ‘really good player’, but he is worth ‘half’ of the rumoured transfer fee that is being spoken about him.

One of the clubs that is expressing interest in the England midfielder are the current Premier League leaders, it is said that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal view the player as a ‘real leader’, as reported by The Evening Standard in April.

Both Man United and Arsenal could do with some added quality in the middle of the park for next season, especially given that the Gunners will return to the Champions League.

A number of weeks ago, you would have said that Erik ten Hag’s men would get a top-four finish, no problem, but at this moment in time, they are sitting in fifth, even if they have games in hand.

Nonetheless, when talking about the summer transfer window and Rice’s future, whilst Scholes thinks he needs to leave East London and he would take him at Old Trafford, he had one big issue, as he told Premier League Productions (02/04/23 at 1:45 pm).

“I think the criticism comes from the price tag that has been put on Rice,” said Scholes. “£100 million for a player that doesn’t really get involved that much going forward.

“He chips in, now and again. But, essentially, he is a holding midfield player. If you are looking at £100 million, I think he is a really good player in that position and at a big club, but he has to play for a big Champions League club now. I think it’s time to leave West Ham.

“But if I am Man United, and I have £100 million to spend on a midfielder, then I don’t think it would be Declan Rice – if you are talking about a £100 million player, it’s a midfield player, then he has to do everything. Roy Keane. £100 million. Kevin de Bruyne now. £100 million.

“Declan RIce, as much as I love him and I think he would be great for Man United, character-wise, more than anything. I think he is half that.”

SHOULD RICE PICK ARSENAL OR MAN UNITED?

If he has to pick between either two in the summer, then he has a big call to make because both teams could do with his services.

Even though Erik ten Hag’s side have to give themselves a little push for Champions League football, you know the Gunners, not only will be back amongst the elite, but they could be champions of England.

Either way, with Thomas Partey and Casemiro at those respective clubs, if Rice does pick either one, he is playing second fiddle, so perhaps he is better suited moving to a Champions League team that will offer him regular starts.

In other news, Report shares how Julian Brandt feels about £25m Arsenal or Newcastle move