Man City set to help Arsenal secure dream summer transfer as Arteta plots move for Declan Rice

Manchester City’s summer business could pave the way for Arsenal to sign Declan Rice.

According to the Times, Pep Guardiola will sit down with Kalvin Phillips this summer to decide his future at the club.

Phillips has barely featured for City since making the £42million transfer from Leeds United last summer.

Indeed, Guardiola’s men take on Leeds on Saturday, but there is no guarantee the England international will get an outing, despite his midfield rival Rodri having played 65 hours of football this season.

When asked about Phillips’ long-term future at City Guardiola explained: “We will see at the end of the season [what happens]. We’ll sit with the players. Maybe they want more minutes or maybe they are not happy with the situation. But right now I’m not going to discuss anything.”

Indeed, the Times claimed that West Ham are monitoring Phillips’ situation with interest.

Rice to Arsenal?

Should Phillips sign for West Ham in the summer, it would pave the way for his international team-mate Rice to move to Arsenal.

Indeed, West Ham will likely be scouring the market for midfielders in the summer in anticipation of Rice’s likely departure.

According to the Independent, the 24-year-old, who has been labelled “world-class” by talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham, is Arsenal’s priority target this summer.

While Rice’s contract is set to enter its final year in June, the Hammers have the option to activate a clause that would extend his stay at the London Stadium by a further year.

Indeed, David Moyes has admitted that the club would be looking for a fee in excess of £100million before sanctioning a sale for Rice.

However, should they complete a move for Phillips they would likely be more open to allowing Rice to leave the east London side.

Rice is reported to be the first signing that the Gunners will attempt this summer, with the Mikel Arteta’s men also looking to add a defender and a striker.