West Ham United are reportedly among the clubs interested in signing Manchester City misfit Kalvin Phillips.
The Sky Blues boss Pep Guardiola confirmed in December that the England international is available for transfer in the January transfer window. They have transfer-listed the midfielder and would prefer to sell—but a loan move has not yet been completely ruled out. The Treble winners are asking for a loan fee of around £5m—and most, if not the entire, of his £135,000-per-week wages paid in full—plus an obligation to make the move permanent in the summer.
According to Sky Sports, West Ham are set to revive their long-standing interest in Kalvin Phillips, although the player’s wages may prove a stumbling block for any potential deal.
Phillips, 28, is keen to leave Manchester City during the transfer window after struggling to break into Pep Guardiola’s team. The defensive midfielder has only started twice this season and is desperate for regular games to ensure he keeps his place in the England squad ahead of the European Championships in Germany this summer.
Newcastle United, Everton and Juventus have also made initial approaches to Man City to register their interest in the 28-year-old, the report adds.
Kalvin Phillips to West Ham—Right fit for the Hammers?
West Ham managed to win the Conference League under David Moyes’ leadership last season and they have done reasonably well in the Europa League so far this season. They will want to win another trophy this year, and Kalvin Phillips could be a transformative addition to their squad.
A defensive midfielder by trade, Phillips would add solidity, tenacity and experience to West Ham’s engine room. He could form a strong shield alongside Edson Alvarez in front of the backline, allowing James Ward-Prowse to operate with more freedom from an advanced midfield role. The trio can make the Hammers’ midfield a strong unit to bypass for the opposition—both in the Premier League and Europe.
The ex-Leeds United star would add quality depth to Moyes’ squad which has been hit with injuries of late. Creative midfielder Lucas Paqueta got injured during West Ham’s last game and is set for a spell on the sidelines, while Mohammed Kudus is away with Ghana for the AFCON. So, the Hammers may feel Phillips would be an ideal fit to fortify their midfield department as he has enough experience of playing in the Premier League.
Moreover, the 28-year-old would be desperate to prove his detractors wrong and get back his career on track after his failed move to Man City from Leeds in 2022. Signing a hungry, experienced midfielder in Phillips on loan for £5m would be a smart move, and if he manages to impress at the London Stadium in the coming months, West Ham should sign him permanently from City at the end of the season.
