£45m player spoke to Arsenal star Declan Rice before completing surprise transfer

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Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has completed a loan move to West Ham United, following interest from several clubs including Arsenal.

Phillips has hardly featured under Pep Guardiola since his move from Leeds United last year, and it recently emerged that he even spoke to Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale about his struggles when on International duty.

Arsenal were one of several clubs eyeing up Phillips given his lack of game time, but a loan move from a fellow title rival in Man City was always unlikely, and he has now joined West Ham in a fairly surprising move, in search of first-team football.

West Ham moved for the 28-year-old to help replace Declan Rice, who has been a resounding success at Arsenal since his summer move, and he has now revealed that the pair had a conversation prior to Phillips’ loan deal.

Kalvin Phillips spoke to Declan Rice before Man City exit

Speaking to West Ham media upon his arrival earlier today, Phillips admitted he spoke to his England midfield partner Rice about the club, and admired his success last season.

“I’ve spoken to Dec quite a bit about West Ham as well and I’ve not spoken to Jarrod (Bowen) or (Danny) Ingsy or Prowsey yet but I’ll see them tomorrow at training,” he stated.

“I didn’t watch the game (the Europa Conference League final triumph), but I watched the celebrations. I saw loads of videos of Dec celebrating as well. I was very happy for Dec and Jarrod – they’re great guys and I speak to them quite a lot with England.”

Phillips has played alongside Rice for England at multiple tournaments including the World Cup last year, as well as Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Ramsdale and Eddie Nketiah.

Should Arsenal have made an effort to sign Kalvin Phillips?

Despite impressing with Leeds United, Phillips was an undisputed flop at Man City. He joined for £45m last year, and hardly appeared as he struggled with injuries.

Even when he was fit and first-choice Rodri was suspended, he could still not break into the team, but interest remained in him after what he did at Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa.

Arsenal are interested in a summer move for Martin Zubimendi, and the Spaniard will be a younger, and less injury-prone midfield option.

Although Phillips could have been good cover for Thomas Partey, both players have hardly featured all season, but with Partey set to return, Arsenal were better off waiting for his comeback than aiming to sign the City player.