Rice replacement – West Ham have duo on short list
Gallagher
West Ham may well be ready to revive their interest in Connor Gallagher and Kalvin Phillips as they seek a replacement for Declan Rice this summer.
The Hammers have been long-term admirers of the England duo and their situations are being monitored, with both facing uncertain futures at their current clubs.
David Moyes is know to retain long term interest in players as was the case with Jesse Lingard and went in for Phillips at £50 million before the player went to Man City for less.
So he clearly remains on a short list of contenders to replace Rice, with Chelsea’s Gallagher another believed to again be fancied by the Hammers boss.
No formal approach has been made for either player but, now we have retained our Premier League status, West Ham are expected to act on the premise both of them.
The Irons failed with an audacious bid to sign Phillips from Leeds late in last year’s January transfer window as David Moyes sought to reunite the midfield partnership with Rice which helped drive England to the Euro 2020 final.
The 27-year-old eventually saw out the season with his boyhood club before joining Manchester City last summer, but has hardly featured under Pep Guardiola this term, playing just 65 minutes in the League.
The Hammers were one of a number of clubs interested in taking Gallagher on loan during last summer’s window, but Chelsea eventually decided to keep the academy graduate at Stamford Bridge after his successful spell at Crystal Palace.
Moyes has been targeting a high-profile midfield signing for some time and while club-record arrival Lucas Paqueta has been deployed in a deeper role of late, Rice’s expected departure will still leave a gaping hole in the Irons’ team.
Phillips would look the most natural replacement as a holding player and Moyes remains a big fan, although there are concerns within the West Ham hierarchy over his injury record.
