Declan Rice will be on the move this summer. West Ham chairman David Sullivan has confirmed the captain will be leaving and Arsenal have made a series of bids. With Europa League football on the horizon and up to £100m coming in for Rice, West Ham will be looking for a high-quality replacement. Here are 10 midfielders who could fit the bill.
João Palhinha
The Fulham midfielder had a very impressive first season in England after his move from Sporting last summer. His ability to win possession and protect the back four would make him an ideal replacement for Rice. Palhinha made 147 tackles in the Premier League this season – at least 47 more than any other player in the division, with Moises Caicedo (100) the only other player to hit three figures. Palhinha’s tackle success rate of 70% is one of the best in the league. The one issue could be discipline; the Portugal international committed 48 fouls and received more yellow cards (14) than any other player in the league, which meant he missed three games through suspension.
Edson Álvarez
Álvarez, who was close to joining Chelsea last summer, may be tempted to move to London this year. Borussia Dortmund are also interested in the Ajax player, and with Jude Bellingham’s transfer to Real Madrid complete, they look the favourites to sign him. Álvarez is a similar player to Rice. He averaged an impressive 2.3 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game this season, despite playing in a team that had the highest possession (66.7%) in the Eredivisie. Álvarez’s ability on the ball would suit West Ham’s counterattacking game – this season he had a pass success rate of 88.9% and made 238 successful long passes from his own half to the opposition half.
James Ward-Prowse
A number of Southampton players will be on the move this summer. Captain Ward-Prowse might even be available at a decent price, freeing up some of the Rice transfer fee for other areas in the West Ham squad. The midfielder is best known for his set pieces. He scored his 17th free-kick goal in the Premier League this season – only David Beckham has scored more (18). And only Kieran Trippier (70) created more goalscoring chances from set pieces than Ward-Prowse (40) in the league in 2022-23. Though he may not be as known for his defensive capabilities, he also made 55 interceptions – only four players, including Rice (63), who had the most, made more. He also scored nine goals and registered four assists for a struggling Southampton side.
Youssouf Fofana
The Monaco and France player had an impressive season. Fofana earned his first cap in September before going to Qatar and featuring in all but one of France’s games in their run to the World Cup final – and he also played in Europe with Monaco. The 24-year-old was one of eight players in Ligue 1 this season to win possession more than 250 times (265). As well as being a ballwinner, he also scored twice, set up two goals, made 32 key passes and had 46 successful dribbles – that attribute would suit West Ham as Rice has also been good at progressing the ball high up the pitch.
Kalvin Phillips
Phillips and Rice could end up switching clubs this summer. Phillips says he does not want to leave Manchester City after just one season but, after injuries and the sheer size and quality of the City squad limited him to only 291 minutes of action in the Premier League, he may need a new start. Playing every week could rejuvenate Phillips and bring back the form he showed when at Leeds. It would also help him keep his place in the England team.
Matteo Guendouzi
Marseille midfielder Guendouzi will be familiar to Premier League fans after his spell with Arsenal. The France international lost his starting spot for a number of games in the Marseille team during the season and was often played in an unfamiliar attacking midfield role, which had led to speculation he may be sold this summer, with Aston Villa supposedly interested. Guendouzi, though reckless at times during his previous spell in London, has matured and would bring energy and intensity to the midfield. He works hard to win back the ball – he recovered possession in the midfield third 74 times in Ligue 1 in 2022-23. He has an eye for a tackle as well – he had a tackle success rate of 61.9% in Ligue 1 and was only dribbled past 24 times in 2,113 minutes of action, underlining his solidity in midfield.
Stijn Spierings
Spierings had an outstanding campaign and he is out of contract at Toulouse this summer, so available on a free if he does not sign a new deal with the Ligue 1 club. The holding midfielder has impressed in his three years at Toulouse, helping them win promotion from Ligue 2 in 2022 and win the Coupe de France this year. At 6ft 2in, he would offer West Ham a similar physical presence in midfield to Rice and Tomas Soucek. He won possession more times (336) than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues in 2022-23 – more even than Rice (334) in fact, while in Ligue 1, only five players made more than his 95 tackles. He is also a decent passer of the ball, especially going long, averaging 3.9 long balls per game last season, while his overall pass success rate was 86.1%.
Tyler Adams
A number of Leeds midfielders could be looking for a move this summer after their relegation from the Premier League. The versatile Adams, who has played on the right side of both defence and midfield, could prove a shrewd signing for West Ham, especially as right-back Vladimir Coufal is now in his 30s. Adams played most of his football in the middle of the park this season and he did well. Despite missing the last 12 games of the campaign with injury – which proved a major blow for Leeds, who only won two of those matches – Adams was pivotal in midfield when he did play. Despite making only 24 appearances, only three players in the league beat his return of 89 tackles. He also had a strong tackle success rate of 75.4%.
Wilfred Ndidi
Ndidi may also be on the move after Leicester’s relegation. The Nigeria international was linked with a host of top clubs a few years ago, but he has struggled recently. Nevertheless, with nearly 200 appearances in the Premier League – as well as experience in both the Champions League and Europa League – he could be a decent signing. The 26-year-old only made 19 starts in the 2022-23 Premier League season, but his influence was on show, making 3.3 tackles and 2 interceptions per 90 minutes, while maintaining a pass success rate of 84%. If he can discover his old form in a new side, he could be a hard-working addition for the Hammers.
Tom Krauss
RB Leipzig midfielder Krauss could be on the move this summer. The 21-year-old showed his qualities while on loan at Schalke, despite their relegation. He can operate in a number of positions at a high standard, though he flourished this season in a deeper midfield role. Krauss was joint-top with Köln player Jonas Hector when it came to tackles, making 112 each during the Bundesliga campaign. He also has plenty of room to improve his game.