Danny Murphy has insisted that Declan Rice may have to go on strike to force through a move to Arsenal.
The Gunners have had two bids rejected for Rice by West Ham so far this summer, with the latest worth £90million and the Hammers holding out for £10million more.
Rice was told he could leave the club in the summer by chairman David Sullivan and appears to be going out on a high after captaining his side to Europa Conference League glory.
But no bids have been accepted by West Ham yet, and, if Arsenal were to reject the chance to bid again, Rice could in theory end up being stuck with West Ham.
Murphy, speaking on TalkSport, said that Rice should take matters into his own hands to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Danny Murphy has has told Declan Rice to go on strike to force through his move to Arsenal
Rice was told he could leave West Ham this summer but the club have rejected Arsenal’s first two offers
Murphy said Rice needs to look after himself and ensure he can join the north London club
‘As of now City aren’t in, so Arsenal don’t have to rush it,’ the former midfielder said.
‘It gets to a point where Declan has a decision to make, and that and that means has he got the courage to kick off to get out if he needs to.
‘You have to be Craig Bellamy, Joey Barton. You have to look after yourself. I only had it once in my career and you have to be able to follow through.’
Murphy continued with his Bellamy analogy, referencing when the forward reportedly forced his way out of Manchester City in 2010.
Player protests make it difficult for clubs who want to keep their stars, because it often results in less effort being put in by said player and a damage to team morale if they’re hanging around not wanting to be there.
Murphy used Craig Bellamy – who reportedly forced his way out of Manchester City in 2010 – as a reference point
Arsenal are expected to go back in for Rice, with West Ham’s asking price clear.
‘It means you have to make it perfectly clear that if you keep me here I won’t be playing,’ Murphy continued. ‘Even if you don’t really believe it long-term, you have to do it and make them believe it.
‘Put it this way. Bellamy at Man City was that strong and had the courage of his convictions and caused that many problems in training every day they paid his wages while he went to Cardiff on loan.
When asked if it’s a ‘professional thing to do’, Murphy replied: ‘It doesn’t matter.’
