Michail Antonio shares ‘shocked’ Kalvin Phillips transfer verdict amid West Ham United January update
Michail Antonio has admitted that he was “shocked” to learn that Kalvin Phillips would be joining West Ham United, as he hadn’t been told the England international was signing for the Hammers.
Reports have emerged that the Manchester City midfielder is set to become the Irons’ first signing of the January transfer window, joining David Moyes’ squad on an initial loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the season [Fabrizio Romano, 23 January].
While Antonio admitted he was delighted that the “outstanding” 28-year-old was making the move to East London, he revealed that he had not yet been told by staff at West Ham that the deal was completed.
Speaking on the Footballer’s Football Podcast (24 January, 6:10) he said: “Kalvin has joined? Welcome Kal, I didn’t know but you know what? Quality player, a good player to be in our midfield, I’ve not kept my eye on this at all but I love it, love it.
“Obviously he’s worked with Dec [Rice] you’ve seen him play with England, you’ve seen the quality that they’ve had so I think he’s a great addition and I think it will help us stay in the position and maybe climb the league this season.
“I didn’t know, I was actually in the changing ground today, the boys were off and I was in the training ground and I didn’t know, I’ve not actually been on my phone.
“I’m going through my phone right now like what on earth is going on? I’m on the West Ham group now and the last test I got was ‘blood tests tomorrow’. There has actually been no text sent out so I’m actually shocked.”
Keeping it quiet
The official announcement of Phillips’ arrival is yet to emerge from West Ham United and Antonio’s ignorance of the deal may suggest that there is a little bit of work to be done before the midfielder arrives in East London.
However, it is clear that the Hammers’ forward is excited by the England international’s arrival and it should be music to supporters’ ears that he thinks it will help Moyes’ side kick-on over the remainder of the season.
West Ham’s midfield has been in impressive form, but there is a lack of depth at the London Stadium currently, an issue which Phillips’ arrival will go a long way to helping.
Hopefully, the remainder of the deal will go off without a hitch and both the Hammers’ supporters and Antonio will receive an official announcement of its completion sooner rather than later.
In other West Ham news, Jacob Steinberg has shared how FFP will impact the Hammers’ deal for Kalvin Phillips
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