TalkSPORT presenter Jamie O’Hara has suggested that Manchester City should look to launch a summer transfer move for Declan Rice.
The midfielder has been linked with a move away from West Ham United this summer, with several Premier League clubs apparently eyeing a swoop for him.
This has since led to one pundit sharing his thoughts on one particular move the Englishman, who apparently has a £100m price tag, could make.
Speaking on talkSPORT, O’Hara had this to say when discussing potential clubs that Rice, who has been hailed as a “world-class” player by Danny Cowley, could join in the summer.
He said: “Man City? Swap deal for Kalvin Phillips. It hasn’t worked out for Kalvin Phillips. Might be one who West Ham go ‘I tell you what, we’ll take that.’ £60m and Kalvin Phillips, would they take that? They’d take £60m and Kalvin Phillips, absolutely.”
Phillips out, Rice in?
City signed Phillips back in the previous summer transfer window from Leeds United in a deal worth a reported fee of £45m.
This season has seen the 27-year-old start just two of the 17 games he’s featured in, which suggests that he hasn’t fully convinced Pep Guardiola of his ability.
Therefore, this makes O’Hara’s suggestion of using the former Leeds star in a potential swap deal that would see Rice swap London for Manchester in the summer a credible one.
In terms of what Rice could offer City, the England international has the third highest total of passes into the final third (212) and the joint-second-highest combined total of tackles and interceptions (140) in the league this season, which shows how impressive he is on and off the ball.
