Arsenal have made Declan Rice their top summer transfer target (Picture: Getty)
Glen Johnson has told West Ham midfielder Declan Rice to join Chelsea instead of Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal have made Rice their top summer transfer target with the Hammers expected to sell the England international at the end of the season.
Manchester United have also been linked – having launched a £100m bid last summer – but Chelsea have held the longest interest in signing the 24-year-old.
Despite the Gunners being the front runners to sign Rice in the summer – with boss Mikel Arteta believed to be a ‘huge fan’ of West Ham’s star player – former Blues defender Johnson has urged Rice to head to Stamford Bridge instead.
Quizzed about which club Rice should pick, Johnson told Lord Ping: ‘In terms of career longevity, I think somewhere like Chelsea.
‘They have obviously got big plans, the owners have come in and put the money on the line, they clearly want to be a success and they have got a fantastic coach.
‘He will get the best footballing side out of Declan I think, so I just see them competing within the next sort of three years, more so than Arsenal.’
The Blues have spent over £600m on new players since Todd Boehly replaced Roman Abramovich as owner in the summer.
Chelsea star Reece James feels that the west London club can become ‘one of the best teams in the world’ once their new stars have settled in.
‘I don’t think there’s a trophy we can’t win,’ the England international told Sky Sports.
‘When that happens I don’t know, but with the team we’re building and what the club is turning into…
‘With all the young players, once we have played together for a longer period of time I think we’re going to be one of the best teams in the world.’
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