West Ham ‘eyes a deal that could see Manchester City include Kalvin Phillips in their move for Declan Rice’ – after David Moyes tried to sign the midfielder from Leeds 18 months ago
West Ham are believed to be interesting in exploring a deal that would see Kalvin Phillips move to the London Stadium if Manchester City successfully move for Declan Rice, according to reports.
Man City emerged as a shock suitor for the Hammers captain after the club rejected Arsenal‘s opening bid for the England star.
The east London outfit have subsequently rejected another offer for the highly-valued midfielder, which was worth £75million plus up to £15m in add-ons, due to West Ham’s belief that Rice is worth a minimum of £100m.
Whilst Arsenal have long been considered the frontrunners for the 24-year-old’s signature, West Ham are reportedly reluctant to accept the Gunners’ proposed payment structure for the deal.
As well as being interested in driving up Rice’s fee in a bidding war, the Hammers are thought to be steadfast in their wish to receive the full amount for their player by 2025.
Man City could use West Ham’s interest in Kalvin Phillips to help get their deal for the Hammers captain over the line
Declan Rice is believed to be heading for Arsenal but the Gunners are yet to bid a satisfactory fee for their No 1 transfer target
As per ESPN, Man City may have another route to securing the services of the midfielder, involving a combined cash-and-player offer.
Phillips has had a difficult debut season at the Etihad, making just four starts in all competitions as Pep Guardiola’s side stormed through their Treble-winning campaign, but the 27-year-old has a fervent admirer in Hammers coach David Moyes.
The Europa Conference League-winning manager attempted to sign Phillips in the January transfer window in 2022, but had their £55m bid for the player rejected.
Man City’s pull saw the player leave Elland Road to the tune of £42m just six months later.
Despite Man City’s desire to sign Rice and West Ham’s interest in his England team-mate Phillips – who scored his first international goal against North Macedonia on Monday – the player himself is keen to stay and fight for his place in Manchester.
David Moyes is a longterm admirer of the midfielder and tried to sign him from Leeds in 2022
After struggling with injury and fitness during the last season, Phillips ended the year with his first international goal for England on Monday
‘My intention is to stay at City. We have just won the Treble, so there is no reason for me to leave. If I am not playing I will obviously have to think about it,’ he said.
‘But I cannot give it 12 months and say “I am not playing so I am going to leave”. As you have seen with many players at City, it can take quite a while to cement yourself into the team.
‘Hopefully I will enjoy my off season and then work hard when I get back.
‘I will definitely speak to Pep. I don’t know whether it will be in the summer because everyone enjoys their downtime and everyone wants their space away from football so I’ll probably leave it until I go back for pre-season but I’ll just speak to him and have a good conversation.’
