West Ham ‘keen’ on signing Manchester City treble-winner as part of Declan Rice deal

Manchester City could lose midfielder Kalvin Phillips as part of a transfer package for West Ham captain Declan Rice.

The Hammers, who rejected a second bid from Arsenal for Declan Rice on Tuesday, are aware that Manchester City are one of four clubs interested in potentially signing the England midfielder this summer.

Arsenal currently lead the race for the signature of the 24 year-old, however Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United are all rumoured to be circling, as David Moyes prepares to lose his club captain.

Rice featured in 37 Premier League matches for West Ham last season, and also captained the East London club to a European trophy, as the Hammers lifted the Europa Conference League in Prague.

In the aftermath of that triumph, West Ham Chairman David Sullivan revealed that Rice would leave the London Stadium this summer, with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich also claimed to hold an interest in the midfielder.

Manchester City ‘want’ to sign Rice this summer according to Sam Lee at The Athletic, however the Englishman is viewed as a replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, who is yet to sign a new deal at the Etihad Stadium.

The German midfielder has been heavily linked with Barcelona, and despite an improved contract offer from Manchester City last month, the current Blues skipper could complete a free transfer to La Liga.

Any move for Rice could reportedly involve fellow England international Kalvin Phillips, who The Athletic claim City would explore offering to West Ham as part of a potential deal, despite Phillips’ recent vow to remain at the Etihad Stadium next season.

Phillips made just four starts for Manchester City during the 2022/23 campaign, as injury and fitness hampered his debut season in East Manchester.

David Moyes and West Ham are claimed to be ‘keen’ to explore a deal which could involve the 27 year-old according to ESPN, with the Hammers having previously tried to sign Phillips from Leeds United.

Fellow Manchester City players Cole Palmer and Carlos Borges have also been mooted with a move to the London Stadium, though the Sky Blues are yet to table any official offer for Rice.