West Ham plot stunning swoop for Man Utd, Arsenal-linked star to replace Declan Rice after scouting mission

West Ham have gone big in their hunt to replace Declan Rice and hope a Serie A star can fill the void left by the Englishman this summer, according to a report.

Rice is likely to depart the London Stadium at the end of the season. He will enter the final 12 months of his contract in the summer. And with all of West Ham’s contract offers having been pushed back, they must let him go so they can still bring in good money.

The Irons would have ideally liked upwards of £100million when allowing Rice to leave. David Moyes has even publicly put his valuation at over £150m in the past.

However, rival Premier League teams know Rice is gradually getting closer to free agency in summer 2024. As such, West Ham may have to accept around £70m for the England star later this year.

Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on Moyes’ list of potential replacements for Rice. West Ham tried to sign him from Leeds last summer, only to have their proposals knocked back. Phillips went on to join Manchester City for an initial £42m, plus £3m in add-ons.

However, Phillips has struggled to make an impact at City and West Ham believe he can reinvigorate his career with them.

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Phillips is not the only midfielder under consideration at West Ham, though. According to The Sun, Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is ‘at the top of their list’ to replace Rice.

The Serie A enforcer has regularly been courted by both Arsenal and Man Utd. Indeed, earlier this month Arsenal were claimed to be his ‘favoured destination’ after he decided to leave Lazio.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in similar position to Declan Rice

Milinkovic-Savic has never been able to secure that dream transfer to Arsenal or Man Utd due to the lofty demands of Lazio owner Claudio Lotito. But, like Rice, his contract expires in June 2024 and this means he can secure a transfer at a reduced price this year.

And with Arsenal pursuing Rice as their main midfield target, West Ham will not face competition from the Gunners for Milinkovic-Savic.

The Sun claim West Ham are ‘hot on his trail’. Moyes has even sent scout Alan Irvine to watch him in action recently, and the West Ham official was left impressed.

Milinkovic-Savic would like to join a team competing in the Champions League or Europa League when departing Lazio. However, bigger teams seem to be looking at other targets. As such, West Ham could become one of his main suitors.

While the Irons are struggling this season and way off European qualification, the lure of the Premier League could still bring Milinkovic-Savic to England. West Ham have the finances to pay him more than most teams in Italy, for example.

And Milinkovic-Savic will believe he can play an important role in helping West Ham move away from the relegation zone and back towards the top half next season.