Graeme Souness has raised concerns over Liverpool-linked Declan Rice, amid reports Arsenal have seen a second offer for the England midfielder rejected by West Ham United.
Speculation over Rice, 24, and his future is at fever pitch with the Gunners now thought to be front and centre in the queue for his signature. However, after captaining the Hammers to the Europa Conference League trophy, the player has plenty more interest amid suggestions he will cost £100m.
Souness, 70, knows a thing or two about what it takes to shine in the engine room and the Liverpool hero admits Rice might have shortfalls when it comes to his passing. Even so, the Scot does rate the 43-cap international as he prepares to embark on a new adventure.
Speaking about Rice, talkSPORT pundit Souness said: "If you're looking for a top, top midfield player, I don't believe he has enough cute passing in him to be that.
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"I think he'd be a really good guy. He'd be great to work with, extremely athletic, he senses danger so he's got that part of a central midfield player's game, he's got that.
"He can get himself into positions where the guys he's playing against that want to find the striker, or make a cute pass, he knows that and not everyone can get that. So he's got that instinctively, but what he doesn't have is those cut and clever passes in the last third."
Liverpool legend Souness continued: "I think that he's a little bit predictable when he gets on the ball, personally. He'd make Arsenal better, but would he personally get better? I'm not so sure.
"I'm not sure if that's something he can develop. That's something you've got or you've not got, there's no doubt he would be an asset to whoever takes him, and I bet he's a great boy to work with.
"This isn't a criticism, we're talking about someone worth £100m. But for me, the top midfield players have what he has and have that cuteness of play further up the field, and they'll score goals and they create chances. His record is 204 games, 10 goals, 10 assists."
