Declan Rice is once again going to be the subject of much transfer speculation this summer. The West Ham midfielder has been linked with leaving the London Stadium in the past couple of transfer windows, but has remained loyal.
However, the England international is widely expected to depart the Hammers this summer, with West Ham braced for offers for their star man.
Arsenal have made Rice their number one transfer priority this summer, while Chelsea have long been admirers of the 24-year-old. Manchester United and Liverpool have also been linked with a move, with his future in east London up in the air.
READ MORE: Declan Rice's Arsenal transfer decision completes Mikel Arteta's huge three-year mission
One team who have not been linked with Rice, however, are Manchester City. Arsenal will be hoping to bolster their ranks this summer in hope of giving Pep Guardiola's side another run for the Premier League title next season.
And Rice coming into the midfield would certainly help with that, with the added work of Champions League football to contend with next year for MIkel Arteta.
With Ilkay Gundogan linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium - coincidentally to Arsenal - City could be in the market for another midfielder. But they have already been sent a message that they do not need to go for Rice - by one of their current players.
City signed Kalvin Phillips last sumemr from Leeds United and he has not had the best of times in a City shirt, suffering from injuries and not settling into the first team as he would have liked.
The former Leeds man is expecting to improve next year though and has essentially told Guardiola he can be like a new signing.
Speaking to the BBC, Phillips said: "I'm looking forward to spending a good five more years here at Man City. I came here to win trophies and play football, I’ve not done as much as I’d like this season — pre-season I’ll come back as fit as possible."
Arsenal have been lifted by the news that West Ham hold an interest in Gunners outcast Nuno Tavares, so there could be a player-plus-cash option open to them to complete the Rice deal ahead of rivals.
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