Former Man City manager Stuart Pearce sends transfer message to West Ham star Declan Rice

Former Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce believes West Ham United captain Declan Rice will find it 'difficult' to turn down advances from the Blues in this summer's transfer window.

City have seen a £90million bid for the England international rejected. City lodged an opening offer for Rice on Monday evening, offering them £80m up-front and a further £10m in add-ons.

Rice is also the subject of interest from Arsenal and they have already seen two bids rejected by the Hammers, one of which was a club-record offer. The Gunners have identified the 24-year-old as their top midfield target this summer and are expected to return with an improved bid at some stage.

City, despite being on the cusp of wrapping up the signing of Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, want to bolster their midfield options further after the exit of Ilkay Gundogan. He sealed a move to Barcelona on a free transfer earlier this week.

READ MORE: City have already shown how they will replace Ilkay Gundogan

Many believe that Rice would be better off sealing a move to Arsenal this summer, claiming that he would have a more important role at the Emirates Stadium. However, former City chief Pearce, who was in charge between 2005 and 2007, is of the opinion that the England star would struggle to turn down the opportunity to seal a move to M11.

"I hope he makes the right decision," Pearce told Sky Sports. "The one thing you know about Declan, you know, is that he has turned down big money over time at West Ham; they have offered him big money to sign longer contracts and he hasn't done that.

"He has done it for the right reasons, for footballing reasons, and his family have got their heads screwed on, so he will make the right decision for him. One thing