Journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed that Manchester City could use Kalvin Phillips in a potential deal to help them sign Declan Rice.
It was reported earlier today that Arsenal had an offer of £80m plus add-ons rejected by West Ham United for the midfielder, who City are apparently now considering making a move for.
With that in mind, one journalist has claimed that the Citizens may have a trick up their sleeve that may work in their favour in terms of sealing a deal for the Hammers captain.
Journalist hints at Phillips offer in Rice deal
Speaking in a recent video on the Chasing Green Arrows YouTube channel, Bailey said this about one aspect of City’s potential swoop for Rice.
He said: “City have got, not a trump card, but they’ve got that Kalvin Phillips card to play.
“We know West Ham love Kalvin Phillips, they tried to sign him last summer. He’s an ideal player to come in and bolster that West Ham midfield, we know Moyes likes him, we know Sullivan likes him.
“So that’s, not a trump card but a real joker in the pack that City could use to help with this Rice deal.”
As Bailey mentioned, the east London club had a bid worth £50m rejected for Phillips back in the 2022 January transfer window before he ultimately joined City in the summer for £45m.
Having only started four of the 21 games he appeared in for Pep Guardiola’s side last season, this could also be why Bailey thinks the club may offer him to the Hammers in an effort to secure Rice’s signature.
If this would be something that West Ham would be open to, we feel that it’s definitely something the Citizens should consider if it helps them sign Rice at a lower fee than expected.
Moving forward, with Arsenal and now apparently Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to sign the West Ham star, it’s safe to say that decisions will have to be made quickly by City if they want to beat their rivals to this particular signing.
