Declan Rice's move away from West Ham United appears to be moving closer with every passing hour.
The England international has seen his stock rise rapidly in recent years since being moved from centre-back into a defensive midfield role.
And his performances have caught the attention of last season's top two in the Premier League, with Manchester City and Arsenal embroiled in a battle to acquire the Hammers star.
So far, West Ham have turned down two offers from both clubs, as they are holding firm on their valuation of £90m for Rice.
Both Manchester City and Arsenal have that money available if they are willing to pay it, but who would Rice be better off joining?
Silverware guaranteed at City but not minutes
If it is medals and trophies that Rice is after, then the obvious option is Manchester City.
Last season, Guardiola's side matched their inner-city rivals Manchester United in winning the elusive treble by lifting the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies.
However, with anyone that joins Manchester City, the biggest question mark is always playing time, and there is already a clear first-choice defensive midfielder at the Citizens.
Rodri proved himself to be one of the very best in the position last campaign, and even scored City's winner in the Champions League final against Inter Milan.
The Spaniard played more games than anyone else for City last season, notching up 200 minutes more than any other player in the squad including first-choice goalkeeper Ederson.
With Ilkay Gundogan off to Barcelona, there is space in the City midfield. However Rice would have to compete with the incoming Mateo Kovacic and compatriot Kalvin Phillips for a place alongside Rodri.
If you think a hefty transfer fee would make Rice a guaranteed starter, think again. City paid £100m for Jack Grealish in 2021 and played him in just 39 of 58 games in the 2021-22 season.
And while the price tag may be significantly different, Phillips joined City for £42m last summer and played less than 600 minutes all season.
Gunners need a new star in midfield
Arsenal will not be able to lure Rice with the same guarantee of success as City.
The Gunners' trophy cabinet of the last decade holds four FA Cups and four Charity Shields, but the club have not won the Premier League since 2004 and have never won the Champions League or Europa League.
The London club cannot offer Rice any assurance of success in the coming years, however, at Arsenal, the midfield has a clear path to become the first name of Mikel Arteta's teamsheet.
Arsenal midfielders Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Jorginho are all linked with moves away from the club, particularly Switzerland international Xhaka.
The void left by one or more of those players leaving would be huge, and the perfect place for Rice to become a guaranteed starter week in and week out.
Even if Partey and Jorginho remain at the club, both are already in their 30s while at just 24-years-old Rice has a long playing career ahead of him.
Xhaka is also the current vice-captain at the Gunners, while Rice has proved his worthiness as a captain by guiding West Ham to the Europa Conference League title against Fiorentina.
The silverware at City will undoubtebly be tempting, but if remaining a club talisman is what Rice dreams of, he has the chance to replicate a similar level of hero-status at Arsenal as he currently has with West Ham.
And if Arsenal do cough up the £90m asking price, Rice would become the club's most expensive signing ever and the second most expensive English player - after Grealish.