Arsenal have been warned West Ham captain Declan Rice would prefer a move to Chelsea over Arsenal even if Arsenal win the Premier League title this season.

The Gunners have expressed interest in signing Rice in the summer as Mikel Arteta looks to sign a new central midfielder.

Former Premier League star Glen Johnson ‘cannot see’ Rice moving to Arsenal, however, and believes the 24-year-old would rather join Manchester City, Chelsea or Liverpool.

“I can’t see Declan Rice moving to Arsenal in all honesty,” Johnson told Betfred. “Even if Arsenal win the league this season, I’d still be really surprised if they win the league again next season.

“They look great at the moment and things are going really well for them, but this is a total outlier season for them because they’ve been nowhere near this good previously under Mikel Arteta.

“Have they turned everything around in six months to be title challengers on a consistent basis? I don’t believe so.

“Even if Arsenal win the league I don’t believe Declan will move there because the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, three teams who haven’t been at their best, are not all going to underperform again next season.

“If two or them can get back to their best next season, then Arsenal are going to be fourth or fifth possibly.”