West Ham United move for Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips complicated
West Ham are still in the race to sign Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United in the summer, according to a report from The Sun.
Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City are also vying for his signature, but the Whites are optimistic about keeping their star player with them for at least another season.
Phillips, who would cost more than £50 million, has a contract at the club until the summer of 2024. However, any potential move for him is “complicated” after he is due to change agents this summer.
Unlikely
Phillips is arguably one of the best central-midfielders in the Premier League, and he would be a dream signing for the Hammers.
He has forged a strong midfield partnership with Declan Rice for the England national team, and David Moyes could look to recreate that at West Ham.
Phillips has been an influential midfielder for both club and country, with Gareth Southgate hailing him as an “outstanding” player [Evening Standard].
However, it is almost next to impossible for the Hammers to secure a deal for him.
First of all, Phillips will probably stay for one more season and then decide to move on, if Leeds fail to make significant improvement.
Secondly, even if he decides to move on, he should be looking to join a club that can offer him Champions League football.
Neither Aston Villa, nor West Ham can offer him that, and it makes no sense for him to join them at the moment.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have offered a senior player to Euro club as exit looms large.
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