Did Sam Allardyce know something about a Man City and West Ham deal for Declan Rice as video resurfaces after Arsenal bid is rejected.
The summer transfer window has only been open for 36 hours but already the tussle to sign Declan Rice from West Ham has been making big headlines.
After months of speculation Arsenal submitted a formal bid for the Hammers captain on Thursday.
But it was miles short of the valuation and rejected out of hand by West Ham as reports emerge that Manchester City are now lurking with serious intent.
That news has gone down like a lead balloon among Arsenal supporters. Because they know only too well that when Man City want a player, they usually get him.
Low ball Arsenal bid opens the door for Man City
Speculation has been intensifying all day that Man City are preparing to make an offer to try and beat the Gunners to West Ham’s talisman.
Reports suggest that bid will be with West Ham within the next 24 hours.
And this is where things get interesting – and it’s potentially bad news for Arsenal.
West Ham tried to sign Kalvin Phillips from Leeds for £55m back in January 2022 only to see him join Man City last summer.
He has endured a torrid time at the Etihad, though, making just four starts under Pep Guardiola and struggling with injuries.
Did Sam Allardyce know something about Man City and West Ham deal for Declan Rice as video resurfaces after Arsenal bid rejected
Reports over the last few months suggested West Ham will try again for the Man City flop this summer.
So, inevitably, Phillips has been mentioned as a potential makeweight in any Man City bid to West Ham for Arsenal’s prime target Rice.
But did Sam Allardyce know something about a Man City and West Ham deal for Rice as video resurfaces after Arsenal bid is rejected.
Video of Allardyce making summer predictions alongside Tim Sherwood has resurfaced on social media.
Is Big Sam in the know?
Sherwood, a boyhood Arsenal fan, predicts Rice will move to Arsenal this summer.
But Allardyce says Manchester City with a knowing grin. The presenter asks the former Hammers boss whether he knows something we don’t about a potential deal to which Allardyce smiles.
And he goes on to state that a player will go the other way from the Etihad to West Ham.
“Man City,” Allardyce says when asked where Rice will go this summer.
“Somebody will go back the other way.”
When Sherwood and the presenter then ponder Phillips as the player to ‘go the other way’ Allardyce says “Who?” and gives a nod and a wink to suggest that is the player he is referring to.
Reports have suggested Phillips wants to stick it out at Man City but he may find himself completely frozen out and with little choice but to move.
That would be curtains for Arsenal’s hopes of signing Rice. Whether signing Phillips would be good move for the Hammers is very debatable indeed.
West Ham have also been linked with Man City youngster Cole Palmer.
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