Sam Allardyce hints Manchester City WILL beat Arsenal to the signing of Declan Rice… with Kalvin Phillips used as a makeweight in the deal for the Hammers captain
- Arsenal are leading the race to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice this summer
- But Sam Allardyce believes the midfielder will join Treble winners Man City
- He has suggested Kalvin Phillips will join the Hammers as part of the deal
By ABDI RASHID FOR MAILONLINE
Sam Allardyce has hinted West Ham captain Declan Rice will join Manchester City this summer ahead of Arsenal – and Kalvin Phillips will be included in the deal.
Arsenal are leading the race to sign Rice despite having an opening bid worth £90million turned down by the Hammers.
However, Pep Guardiola’s City have emerged as shock rivals to compete for the signature of the England International.
Allardyce believes Rice will head to the Etihad this summer, with Phillips going in the opposite direction as part of the deal after just one season at City.
Asked where Rice will go alongside Tim Sherwood, the 68-year-old, who recently departed Leeds, told William Hill’s podcast: ‘Man CIty. Somebody will go back the other way.’
Former Tottenham and Aston Villa boss Sherwood then replied: ‘(It) won’t be Rodri.
‘Pep will give him (Phillips) a chance’, with Allardyce giving a nod when asked if the former Leeds midfielder could head to the London Stadium.
Mail Sport reported on Friday Arsenal will make an improved offer of £100m for Rice, a bid closer to West Ham’s valuation.
The new offer is expected to guarantee West Ham in the region of £90m plus extra payments that will take the total deal to £100m.
However, sources were indicting on Thursday that the total value of the bid isn’t the only remaining issue that requires ironing out before Rice can complete his move to the Emirates.
While Arsenal remain confident they will complete a deal for No 1 target Rice, their urgency to strike a deal has accelerated as it emerged Manchester City have an interest in the England midfielder and are considering a bid.
