West Ham ‘will target either Conor Gallagher or Kalvin Phillips this summer to replace Declan Rice’

West Ham will reportedly look to replace Declan Rice with either Conor Gallagher or Kalvin Phillips this summer, as the England star draws heavy interest from Premier League rivals. 

The Hammers’ top-flight status has come under threat this season, with the club just three points above the drop, which has led to uncertainty over the futures of some players. 

Rice has long been tipped for a move to a Champions League club, with links to the likes of leaders Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United seeming strongest ahead of the summer transfer window. 

West Ham are thought to be keen to fill the void he would potentially leave with one of his England colleagues, Gallagher and Phillips, according to the Evening Standard. 

Rice is under contract at the London Stadium until the end of next season, but the Hammers have the option of a further year, meaning he is effectively entering the final two years of his deal. 

Declan Rice could leave West Ham at the end of this season with West Ham lining up replacements

Conor Gallagher is also though to be on West Ham’s list should his England colleague depart

West Ham are in a precarious position in the Premier League sat three points above the drop

As such, the club will perhaps be keen to cash in on one of Europe’s leading young midfielders before his stock falls, with the 24-year-old rebutting previous attempts to tie him down to a longer stay. 

The Hammers’ midfield has been a problem area this term, despite the signing of Lucas Paqueta from Lyon in summer on a £53million deal. 

Rice has partnered Manchester City’s Phillips on numerous occasions for England, forming Gareth Southgate’s favoured partnership in the middle for the Three Lions Euro 2020 final run. 

And the former Leeds star has drawn David Moyes’ eye in the past, with…