West Ham United transfer news: ‘Immediate’ Kalvin Phillips update amid talks with Manchester City – Sky Sports
Kalvin Phillips is “very open” to a West Ham move “immediately” amid talks over a January transfer window deal with Manchester City, according to Florian Plettenberg.
The Sky Sports Germany journalist reported via Twitter on 22 January that a verbal agreement is now being worked on from all sides.
David Moyes is believed to be driving the push to bring the England international to the London Stadium this month, but a loan fee and his wages have so far been stumbling blocks.
Plettenberg wrote: “Been told: Kalvin Phillips, very open to join West Ham immediately! All parties are working on a verbal agreement now. Negotiations with ManCity about a loan deal ongoing.”
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The commitment of the player is a major requirement in any move like this, which West Ham found to their detriment in the summer with the pursuit of Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.
So this could be a key development in the club’s hopes of landing Phillips this month, and may help with convincing City to reduce their financial demands.
Whether West Ham really need another central midfielder right now is perhaps up for debate when the forward areas are seemingly a greater priority and new arrivals have been conspicuous by their absence so far.
But Edson Alvarez’s injury has perhaps proven Moyes right in his push to land a player he tried to sign from Leeds United two seasons ago [Guardian].
Phillips has barely featured for Pep Guardiola since moving to the Etihad had ahead of last season, but given regular football he could be a stand-out again at the London Stadium.
Who would drop out when all of Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek are fit is difficult to say, and fans will certainly hope this breakthrough can be followed by similar good news on attacking targets.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have been handed an open route to sign a Premier League striker they’ve chased for months.
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