West Ham are ready to revive their interest in Conor Gallagher and Kalvin Phillips as they seek a replacement for Declan Rice this summer.
The Hammers have been long-term admirers of the England duo and their situations are being monitored, with both facing uncertain futures at their current clubs.
The pair are on a shortlist of leading contenders to replace Rice, who will be sold at the end of the season as he effectively enters the final two years of his contract having turned down several offers of a lucrative new deal.
No formal approach has been made for either player but, provided they retain their Premier League status, West Ham are expected to act on indication that either could be available.
The Irons failed with an audacious £50million bid to sign Phillips from Leeds late in last year’s January transfer window as David Moyes sought to reunite the midfield partnership with Rice that drove England to the Euro 2020 final. The 27-year-old eventually saw out the season with his boyhood club before joining Manchester City last summer, but has hardly featured under Pep Guardiola this term, playing just 65 minutes in the League.
The Hammers were one of a number of clubs interested in taking Gallagher on loan during last summer’s window, but Chelsea eventually decided to keep the academy graduate at Stamford Bridge after his successful spell at Crystal Palace.
Moyes has been targeting a high-profile midfield signing for some time and while club-record arrival Lucas Paqueta has been deployed in a deeper role of late, Rice’s expected departure will still leave a gaping hole in the Irons’ side.
Phillips would look the most natural replacement as a holding player and Moyes remains a big fan, though there are concerns within the West Ham hierarchy over his injury record.
It is also thought that City would be reluctant to sanction a sale so soon. The champions are already set to lose Ilkay Gundogan and possibly Bernardo Silva this summer, meaning Phillips could be set for a more prominent role in his second season, a common theme among Guardiola buys.
With Euro 2024 looming, however, Phillips can ill-afford another campaign on the periphery and City are again planning significant midfield investment, with both Rice and Jude Bellingham as key targets.
Despite strong rival interest from Newcastle, a move for Gallagher could prove more realistic. The 23-year-old has featured regularly for Chelsea this term, but is one of their most saleable assets among players not considered a guaranteed starter and the club are open to letting him go for the right price.
There is set to be a significant clear-out at the Bridge and the Blues are keen to bring in another marquee midfielder to partner British transfer-record signing Enzo Fernandez, while N’Golo Kante is on the verge of signing a new contract.
