West Ham United are reportedly plotting an audacious move for Marseille midfield dynamo Matteo Guendouzi as a potential replacement for Declan Rice in the upcoming transfer window.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi is on West Ham United’s radar as a potential replacement for the exit-linked Declan Rice. With Rice’s future at West Ham up in the air with Arsenal and Chelsea pushing for his signature, it seems the Hammers are already hunting for a suitable replacement.
Rice has played an instrumental role in keeping West Ham afloat in the Premier League. But it is no secret that the club may look to cash in on their star asset, who will be in the final year of his existing contract in the summer and has turned down multiple contract offers from the Irons.
As such, David Moyes’ side have thrown their name into the hat in the race to secure the services of Manchester City’s fringe star Kalvin Phillips, who is set sit down with the Sky Blues’ boss Pep Guardiola to discuss his future at the Etihad, having barely featured for City since making the £42 million transfer from Leeds United last summer.
However, City could decide against a potential Phillips sale in the summer, amid speculation over the futures of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva. Gundogan’s contract expires at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to Barcelona, while Silva has lobbied for a move away from City in prior transfer windows and might do so again.
The Englishman could, thus, be handed a more prominent role in the club’s plans next season. This means West Ham should have other targets on their agenda in case Phillips decides to stay put at City. To that end, The Athletic are reporting former Arsenal midfielder Guendouzi has emerged as a prime candidate for the position.
The French midfielder spent four years on Arsenal’s books, making 82 appearances across all competitions before permanently joining Marseille last summer. The 24-year-old has revitalised his career and taken his game to new heights during his time in Ligue 1, and he has established himself as a regular squad member of the French national team thanks to his stellar performances in Marseille shirt in recent times.
Rice is viewed as a quality defensive midfielder, possessing the ability to break up play and burst through gaps from deep to progress the ball. Known for his tenacity and aggression on the pitch, Guendouzi boasts a similar playing style and would be keen to prove his doubters wrong back in the Premier League, following his difficult spell with the Gunners. This is the sort of profile that West Ham United should certainly be going for.
