Chelsea, Man City stars in West Ham sights as Moyes draws up two-man shortlist of Declan Rice replacements
West Ham manager David Moyes has identified two players he believes can replace Declan Rice in midfield, with the Hammers eyeing up stars from Chelsea and Manchester City.
After over 200 appearances and six years in West Ham’s senior squad, Rice appears set to leave the club in the summer. He has rejected numerous offers to extend his contract beyond June 2024, which means West Ham will be forced into selling him. If they wait an extra 12 months, then Rice will be able to walk away from the club on a free transfer.
Chelsea have a long-standing interest in the star after he spent time in their academy, while Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool have all been linked too.
But Rice’s most likely next destination is Arsenal. Mikel Arteta is keen to improve his first team with Rice’s arrival and Gunners sporting director Edu is ready to oblige.
Arsenal are planning to send West Ham a £70million bid this summer and that should be enough to strike an agreement.
If West Ham remain in the Premier League and their captain departs, then Moyes will need a high-quality player to come into his starting lineup as a replacement. And the Evening Standard have provided a report which names the two most likely candidates.
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The first is City man Kalvin Phillips. West Ham submitted a then club-record £50m offer for Phillips in January 2022, when he was still at boyhood club Leeds. However, the bid was swiftly rejected and Phillips went on to join City later that year.
Phillips has not had the desired impact in Manchester though, making just 14 appearances in all competitions as a result of injuries and failing to impress manager Pep Guardiola.
West Ham eye Kalvin Phillips and Chelsea alternative
And West Ham believe this summer will be the perfect time to land Phillips. City could accept a £45m proposal for him, as this is what they paid Leeds to complete a deal in 2022. Although, West Ham will face competition from Aston Villa for the 27-year-old.
Phillips is not the only Premier League midfielder Moyes is looking at. The Scot is also interested in Chelsea ace Conor Gallagher.
The six-cap England international will likely be put up for sale by Chelsea this summer as Todd Boehly looks to trim down the club’s bloated squad. And West Ham view this as a great transfer opportunity.
Chelsea would have previously demanded a major sum for their academy graduate. But as West Ham know the Blues desperately need to sell, they could capture him for a reduced price.
Phillips represents the most obvious replacement for Rice given how similar they are in playing style. Gallagher is a little bit different in that he tends to get forward more and has less defensive knowhow, although he could still be a good signing for West Ham.
It is now up to Moyes to decide which player would be better for West Ham and which will be easier to snare.
Clearly, West Ham will only be able to sign Phillips or Gallagher if they remain in the top flight. The east London side sit 14th in the table, just three points above the bottom three. They do have a game in hand though and that simply must be won if Moyes’ side are to ensure their Prem status for another season.
