Transfer Centre

West Ham United 'open to Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips part-exchange deal'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 22 June 2023

West Ham 'open to Rice, Phillips part-exchange deal'

West Ham United are allegedly open to signing Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips in any proposal made by the Premier League champions for Declan Rice.

West Ham United are reportedly open to signing Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips as part of any deal for Declan Rice.

Since the end of the season, speculation has been rife regarding the next move of Rice, who is keen to test himself at a Champions League club.

Hammers chairman David Sullivan has already confirmed that the team's captain will be allowed to leave the London Stadium for the right price this summer.

If reports are to be believed, Arsenal are the clear frontrunners to secure a deal for the England international, who is expected to cost in the region of £100m.

As it stands, though, the Gunners are yet to hit that mark, presenting two proposals to their West Ham counterparts that have been swiftly rejected.

West Ham United's Declan Rice celebrates scoring their first goal on May 21, 2023 © Reuters

While the relevant parties are eventually expected to reach a compromise, Arsenal are leaving themselves at risk of being edged out for Rice's signature by a rival club.

According to ESPN, West Ham are interested in hearing from Man City, particularly if they are willing to include Phillips in any offer.

The England international recently insisted that he has no plans to leave the Etihad Stadium after just one season, despite rarely featuring under Pep Guardiola.

Nevertheless, City have an increasingly need to add another world-class midfielder to their ranks to replace Ilkay Gundogan, who will be confirmed as a Barcelona player before the end of the week.

West Ham United manager David Moyes pictured on April 5, 2023 © Reuters

West Ham are said to have already identified a number of potential alternatives to Rice, including Fulham's Joao Palhinha and Ajax's Edson Alvarez.

That said, the prospect of either making the switch to West Ham appears slim at this stage, Palhinha having only moved to Craven Cottage last year and Alvarez expected to link up with Borussia Dortmund.

David Moyes has attempted to sign Phillips in the past and the Scot may jump at the opportunity to sign the former Leeds United star if it becomes apparent that a part-exchange deal is a possibility.

Much may depend on whether Arsenal are able to meet West Ham's valuation with Rice allegedly preferring to remain in England's capital over moving to the North West.