Kalvin Phillips: West Ham ‘have given up hope of keeping’ Declan Rice after ‘£50m bid’ – ex-manager
Alex McLeish has suggested West Ham are preparing for life without Declan Rice after reportedly tabling a bid for Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted the Irons may have “given up hope” of keeping their midfield star past the summer.
As reported by the Guardian last Saturday (29 January), West Ham had a £50million bid for Phillips rejected in January and could launch another move at the end of the season.
The report claims the Irons may view the Leeds star as a potential replacement for Rice, who the Telegraph (1 February) state is valued at £100million.
Rice reportedly turned down two contract offers last summer and there are no talks over a new deal underway.
McLeish suggested the Hammers’ bid for Phillips signals the end of Rice in east London.
Discussing Rice’s value compared to the reported bid for Phillips, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “When you put it into that perspective, of it being half the price of Declan, then it does seem cheap.
“But when you look at the figure again and you go, ‘£50million’, you know everybody’s got a value.
“Every club will only go so far. That looked like a player from West Ham for them to be looking at the future.
“Maybe that they’ve kind of given up hope they’re going to be able to hold onto Declan Rice.”
Phillips and Rice have built up a formidable partnership in midfield for England in recent years.
The duo have played together 15 times for the Three Lions, winning 10 of those games.
In other news, West Ham chiefs lambasted after source’s transfer reveal.