England star Declan Rice has been told to join Liverpool instead of Arsenal or Chelsea this summer.
Rice is expected to leave West Ham at the end of the season but his next destination is far from certain, with a string of clubs interested in securing his signature.
Arsenal have reportedly made the 24-year-old their top target ahead of the summer transfer window, although their current pursuit of Moises Caicedo could complicate the situation.
Chelsea have been linked with a move for Rice for several years, with former Blues boss Frank Lampard identifying him as a target during his spell in the Stamford Bridge hot-seat.
But former England winger John Barnes believes Rice should ignore interest from London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea and move to Anfield instead.
Liverpool are expected to sign a new central midfielder in the summer and Barnes believes Rice could be the ideal acquisition.
‘Jordan Henderson and James Milner are at an age that they can’t play every week,’ Barnes told BonusCodeBets.
‘Midfield is the obvious place where we need to improve. Long-term that’s where we’re going to have to look to get some bodies in. The Wijnaldum, Fabinho types.
‘Players like Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are players that would fit into any team and fit into the type of players Liverpool want and need in midfield.
‘Hard-working midfield players that can defend as well as break forward. Those are two for me that would fit exactly what we want.
‘Any top four club in the Premier League would want Declan Rice. He would improve every top side in the league because he is the best defensive midfielder out there.
‘I think that Liverpool would be ideal for him because he is the player that they actually need. So he knows that he will get a very important role on the team.
‘But of course, Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal would also love to have him in their squad, so he will have a lot of options when he is going to pick his next club.’
MORE : Chris Sutton makes Liverpool prediction ahead of Brighton FA Cup clash
MORE : Moises Caicedo urged to stay at Brighton after Arsenal transfer offer
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