Declan Rice is not yet ready for a top-six club, according to Ray Parlour.
The West Ham midfielder has been linked with a move to both Manchester City and Manchester United this summer after sufficiently impressing to earn a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the UEFA Nations League this summer.
City are on the hunt for a replacement for Fernandinho, with 34-year-old reaching the end of his career at the Etihad.
United, meanwhile, are planning a squad rebuild after finishing sixth in the Premier League last season and Rice is of the profile coveted by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose summer spree is set to revolve around young, British players.
But Parlour, who made 424 appearances for Arsenal, believes Rice has a way to go before he is ready for top-six football.
"I'm very impressed," he told talkSPORT. "He's really improved.
"I think he is still a couple of seasons away [from being a veritable top-six midfield player].
"I think he really has to firm up his position for West Ham, he has done a wonderful job sitting in front of the defence.
"But for me, you have got to look at Fernandinho at Manchester City. He is not getting any younger. So that [Rice moving to City] could be the perfect fit if he continues to improve, but not just yet."
