Sky Sports pundit wowed by ‘cheap’ permanent agreement for West Ham United to sign Kalvin Phillips after what Dharmesh Sheth said
Sky Sports pundit Lianne Sanderson believes Kalvin Phillips will be “brilliant” for West Ham and believes a £35m option to buy is “cheap”.
Phillips is set to undergo a medical on Thursday (25 January) ahead of a loan for the rest of the season from Manchester City, with the Hammers having an option to buy worth £35m according to Dharmesh Sheth.
And reacting to the news while live on Sky Sports News (24 January, 19:11), Sanderson admitted she was delighted about the transfer as she is a big fan of the player and reacted to the price to make a move permanent.
“Yeah brilliant,” she said. “I love Kalvin Phillips. I’m surprised it hasn’t worked at Manchester City because very rarely do players go there and not succeed.
“Even though I’m a Manchester United fan, he was never going to come to Man United being a Leeds boy, but I would welcome him with open arms at Man United. I think he’s a brilliant signing for West Ham.
“It hasn’t worked out at Manchester City but I’ve no doubt, he’s a top player. He can ping a ball on a rope. He’s got the ability. Gareth Southgate saw that. Ultimately he needs to be playing.
“I think it’s a brilliant signing for West Ham, absolutely brilliant and I think it’s quite cheap. You said £35m, I think that’s quite cheap.”
Cheap?
In the Premier League these days any transfer that is under the £40m mark seems to be considered cheap, but that certainly isn’t the case.
Unless you’re part of the “Big Six” then clubs have to be very wary of FFP restrictions and money because of how topsy-turvy the league can be, and it’s not an amount you can just chuck around on any player.
Phillips is an excellent midfielder undoubtedly and will add plenty of quality to the squad once the deal gets confirmed, but he signed for £42.5m 18 months ago and has barely played for them so how his value is still that high is bizarre.
When you add that West Ham are paying his wages and a loan fee, City are basically trying to recoup their cash and the Hammers know that isn’t viable at that price.
The likelihood is that the club have agreed to get a deal over the line and negotiations will restart in the summer about a permanent deal should he impress, but ultimately for the rest of this season there is limited downside to this signing and it’s a great deal for everyone.
In other West Ham news, Premier League rivals launch £15m bid for midfielder after Hammers transfer development.
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