West Ham United: David Moyes must sign ‘exceptional’ Man City ace Kalvin Phillips after update emerged yesterday
James Murray is a lifelong West Ham fan and a current season ticket holder in the Billy Bonds Stand. He’s seen some incredible talents – as well as several forgettable names – don the famous claret and blue shirt since his first game 25 years ago. He’s now putting his passion for West Ham into words with a regular fan view for West Ham Zone…
Kalvin Phillips simply has to be a West Ham player by the time February comes around.
The Daily Mirror journalist Ryan Taylor tweeted on Friday (19 January) that the Hammers are now leading the chase to sign the England international from Manchester City this month.
It comes after Premier League rivals Newcastle United have “failed to warm” to the potential numbers involved in a deal for the 28-year-old midfielder, opening up the door for the Irons.
Make no bones about it, it would be a massive disappointment if we don’t manage to close out a deal for Phillips from this point onwards after seemingly stealing a march on the other interested parties.
He hasn’t been short of suitors this month, with Crystal Palace and Everton also credited with an interest in signing him, while European giants Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus have all been mentioned in the conversation.
That is a serious list of clubs to compete with, but it seems as though the midfielder is probably in favour of staying in England for the time being at least.
The costs associated with a deal are also believed to be putting some teams off from firming up their interest with an offer, meaning we will have to push the boat out to secure him initially on a temporary basis.
While many will question how Man City can be demanding a reported £7million for the midfielder to leave on loan given that his opportunities have been limited at the Etihad Stadium, he is still highly regarded at the club and within the footballing world.
When questioned why Phillips hasn’t received more chances with the Citizens in November, Pep Guardiola said (via Fabrizio Romano) he is “exceptional at many things” as he conceded that Rodri being so “key” to his side is the reason behind his persistent snubs.
That is a huge factor because, let’s face it, there aren’t many – if any – defensive central midfielders in the world that are better than the Spanish international.
Although David Moyes has been coy about our interest in Phillips, Kevin Nolan couldn’t help but wax lyrical about the former Leeds United man and how much the club would like to bring him to the London Stadium.
Speaking to BBC 5 Live Sport on Friday (19 January), the Hammers coach said: “Who isn’t a massive admirer of Kalvin Phillips? England international, top player, he was brilliant at Leeds, one of the main reasons they stayed in the league as they did, one of the reasons Man City paid the money they did.
“We are massive admirers of Kalvin and he’d be a great one to add to our squad. I think he’d only be a great acquisition, so that’s all I can say and I’m hoping if he’s going to go anywhere from Man City, it would rather be us than Crystal Palace.”
Although Moyes probably won’t appreciate a member of his coaching staff being so open about our interest in the midfielder, Nolan is right in everything he said about him.
With the squad lacking an extra body in the centre of the park to compliment Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek, Phillips would fit in perfectly to add something different to what that trio currently offers.
I would go as far as to say it could, potentially, be the difference between us qualifying for Europe or not again next season.
We have a chance to go far in the Europa League having made it through to the knockout rounds and currently sit sixth in the Premier League table.
Things could get exciting if we can this deal over the line.
In other West Ham news, Dharmesh Sheth has shared the transfer stance of a player the Hammers want to sign.
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