Arsenal have made Rice a top summer transfer target (Picture: Getty)

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit says one of Brighton pair Alexis Mac Allister or Moises Caicedo would be a great fit alongside Declan Rice in north London.

Arsenal have made West Ham United star Rice their top transfer target heading into the summer transfer window.

The Gunners are said to be confident of signing the England international ahead of rivals Chelsea with Rice ready to take the next step in his career having rejected offers of a new contract at the London Stadium.

During the January transfer window, Arsenal also saw their offers for Caicedo rejected with it reported the club are interested in signing the Ecuador international as well as Rice in the summer.

Petit believes Rice is now ready to move on, suggesting he no longer has the ‘good environment’ needed to progress with Arsenal an ideal next setting for him.

The former France international also believes the Brighton stars will fit Mikel Arteta’s plans and hopes to see one of them join Rice in the capital.

‘I’m a big fan of Declan Rice,’ Petit told Premier League Odds.

Both Brighton stars have been linked with big moves away (Picture: Getty)

‘It is time for him to leave West Ham and play at a higher level to reach his potential. He needs to play in important competitions every single season if he wants to improve and move on to the next stage.

‘I think that he is struggling at West Ham and he does not have a good environment to adapt and improve.

‘I’m also still a big fan of Mac Allister and Caicedo from Brighton, since I first saw them play. I know Arsenal won’t try and buy them all, but they would also fit next to Rice really well.

‘It also wouldn’t be much of a big move, geographically, for Rice as he is located in London with West Ham, so the move won’t hurt too much.

‘But with all due respect to West Ham, it is time for Rice to go.

‘It reminds me of Lampard when he first left West Ham and went to Chelsea and look what he achieved for himself. He became one of the best midfielders in the world at Chelsea. Rice should follow his example and leave given Arsenal are ready to buy him.’

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