Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been told that a potential swap deal for Declan Rice could see his side edge ahead of Arsenal in the race for the midfielder.
The Gunners have long been linked with a move for the England star. Mikel Arteta ’s side have lodged at least two bids for Rice - both of which turned down by West Ham.
Arsenal’s task of signing the midfielder has also grown slightly more difficult over the past week. Reigning Premier League champions and treble winners Man City are also interested and are expected to lodge their own offer for his signature.
However, former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan believes City could elbow themselves to the front of the queue should they propose a swap deal involving former Leeds star Kalvin Phillips.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “Do I think Declan Rice will be sold to Arsenal? I don’t know… it depends who else comes in. There is a makeweight opportunity in this deal.
“What Kalvin Phillips says and what Pep Guardiola tells him might be two different things. If he says he wants to stay at Man City and Guardiola says, ‘that’s very commendable son, by you ain’t playing’, then his attitude will have to change.
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“There are a variety of ways this deal can be done, and if there’s a situation where West Ham are prepared to let Declan Rice go in exchange for something in return…
“Suddenly you’re doing a £75m deal with cash, plus you’re taking Kalvin Phillips, and you’re making it happen that way. That might not be the case, it might be unfair to put him [Phillips] in the equation.
“But West Ham are going to have a need, they’re going to have to replace this player and Phillips might be the makeweight.”
Phillips only moved to the Etihad 12 months ago in a £45m switch from Leeds. He endured an extremely difficult debut campaign with just 21 appearances in all competitions - only four of which were starts.
Despite that, he still did enough to earn England recognition during the most recent round of internationals. Phillips scored his first goal for the Three Lions during the 7-0 win over North Macedonia at Old Trafford.
The midfielder still has five years left to run on the contract that he penned with Man City. Whilst West Ham could emerge as an option for Phillips in the near future, he also has admirers elsewhere in the Premier League.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is a fan of the 27-year-old and could make a move for him as he attempts to bolster his midfield. The Reds have already signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton for £45m but are not expected to stop there. Nice star Khephren Thuram and Celta Vigo wonderkid Gabri Veiga have also emerged as options.
