West Ham should target Manchester City star Kalvin Phillips in Lucas Paqueta discussions
It seems as if the midfielder merry-go-round at the London Stadium, which has dominated the club’s summer transfer activity, is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon for West Ham.
Former star man and captain Declan Rice has already left the Hammers behind in order to join the club’s London rivals Arsenal, in a record-breaking deal worth upwards of £100million.
Since then, it seems as if David Moyes’ side have been linked with any and every midfielder in European football, with a deal now reportedly close for Southampton’s 28-year-old free-kick specialist James Ward-Prowse (The Athletic, 8 August).
And the outgoings in midfield might not be quite finished just yet, with Premier League champions Manchester City now expressing an interest in West Ham’s Brazil international, Lucas Paqueta.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano via Twitter (8 August), the 25-year-old is keen on a move to the Citizens, who have already seen a verbal bid of £70million rejected, with West Ham hoping to keep hold of the player.
Despite this, the two clubs remain in contact over a deal for the attacking midfielder and Manchester City could even look to offer their Premier League rivals some players of their own to make the deal happen.
This could be music to some supporters’ ears, with City of course home to many gifted footballers. One of those footballers who the West Ham board must absolutely bring up during transfer discussions is Kalvin Phillips.
Phillips signed for Manchester City from Leeds United last summer although has struggled to make an impact at the Etihad Stadium, paying very little football during his side’s treble-winning campaign.
And the London Stadium could be the perfect place for him to begin reviving his career and getting back on the pitch regularly.
According to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor, a move for the England international could be on the cards as soon as this summer.
“I can’t see it working out for him at City, unfortunately. I think it has turned out to be a bit of a poor move really because, at the time when he was flying at Leeds, I think he would have been an asset to so many other big six clubs,” Taylor told Givemesport (7 August).
If the 27-year-old is unwanted in Manchester as suggested, he is the first name that should be brought up in any negotiations or discussions for Paqueta.
A fee plus Phillips for a player who is keen on a move away from the East London club could be a brilliant bit of business.
While in West Yorkshire, the player boasted some of the best numbers in the Premier League. As per fbref, he ranked in the top 12 per cent compared to his positional peers that season for the number of tackles that he made (2.74 per 90). In addition to this, he was in the top nine per cent for the number of blocks (1.82 per 90) and clearances (1.96 per 90) he made.
He could offer some excellent protection for Moyes’ defensive line and would have a real point to prove at the club. This could be a no-brainer for everyone involved.
In other West Ham news, the club could make an “incredibly stupid decision” if they are not careful.