Kalvin Phillips could be the ideal West Ham United contingency plan for Declan Rice as transfer news drops
West Ham United may have already found their perfect contingency plan as fan favourite and key man Declan Rice edges closer to the London Stadium exit door.
Rice is out of contract at the London Stadium in 2024, and the Hammers are resigned to losing their key man this summer, with Premier League rivals sniffing.
The England international intends to play Champions League football next season, with London neighbours Arsenal and Chelsea the most interested parties.
According to The Times (28 February), Rice could cost around £80million in the summer transfer window, with Arsenal emerging as a strong contender for his signature.
It’s been no secret of the player’s desire to play top-level football next season. With the Hammers currently locked in a relegation battle, Rice will definitely be moving on to better things this summer.
That means the Hammers must start planning for his eventual departure and the East Londoners may have already located their perfect solution in former Leeds United star Phillips.
West Ham are said to be interested in signing the England international as a potential replacement for Declan Rice, who is expected to leave in the summer, and CBS journalist Ben Jacobs told TEAMtalk (20 March) that City could be open to an exit but nothing about the deal is advanced currently.
“So there is a possibility that if the right offer comes in, Man City might consider an early exit, but it’s not advanced at this point.”
“There are some rumours, for example, that West Ham United are looking, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make a connection between the near certainty that Declan Rice will leave.
“West Ham are totally resigned to him going, and there are plenty of clubs circling. So there’s nothing to suggest that that sale won’t happen over the summer to somebody, and then West Ham would need a defensive midfielder.
Phillips seems the ideal fit to replace Rice and is of course exceptional footballer, and we know that David Moyes is a fan of the combative midfielder after he made a £50m bid to sign him from Leeds in January 2022.
The former Leeds man has more than struggled for game time at Manchester City with Pep Guardiola understandably preferring the metronomic Rodri, and it’s unlikely to see Phillips usurp him in the team, for that reason the 27-year-old may be seeking a new lease of life.
And West Ham, providing they secure their Premier League status next season, can offer Phillips the game-time and platform he desperately needs to kick start his career again.
The Hammers are likely to recoup a big fee for Rice and other of their stars this summer, which means there may be cash in the bank to sign Phillips. Or, they can opt to take him on loan for the season which City may be open for.
We all know Phillip’s incredible talents from defensive midfield, having shown it throughout his Leeds United career and for England at international level alongside Rice. The 27-year-old also provides a huge presence in front of the defence as well as his stark leadership qualities.
There arguably isn’t a more perfect and ideal candidate to take Rice’s midfield throne at the London Stadium.