West Ham United transfer news as Kalvin Phillips update emerges at Manchester City
West Ham United are monitoring the situation of Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips ahead of a potential summer move, according to The Times.
Phillips has struggled for game time in Manchester since his high-profile switch from Leeds United last summer with Guardiola preferring the indispensable Rodri at the heart of his midfield.
West Ham are said to be interested in signing the England international as a potential replacement for Declan Rice, who is expected to leave in the summer, and CBS journalist Ben Jacobs told TEAMtalk (20 March) that City could be open to an exit but nothing about the deal is advanced currently.
According to a report in The Times [6 May], Guardiola will decide Phillips’ future at the end of the season, after his bit-part role this term.
“Pep Guardiola will sit down with Kalvin Phillips and his other Manchester City players this summer to decide whether they want to remain at the club beyond the end of the season.
“It is understood that West Ham are monitoring Phillips’s situation with interest. The London club will be on the lookout for a holding midfielder this summer in the likely event that they sell Declan Rice, who has been tipped to join Arsenal.”
Difficult
Phillips heading to London Stadium to replace Declan Rice certainly appeals to the West Ham United board and fans, but any move this summer could prove difficult.
The former Leeds United man is willing to fight for his place at the Etihad and Guardiola does hold a reputation for finally bedding in significant signings after they’ve struggled in their first season.
Despite his struggles in a City shirt, Phillips holds the characteristics and capabilities necessary to thrive at a top club like City but he’ll certainly know that West Ham United will be ready to pounce should he change his mind.
Phillips seems the ideal fit to replace Rice and is of course exceptional footballer, and we know that David Moyes is a fan of the combative midfielder after he made a £50m bid to sign him from Leeds in January 2022.
We all know Phillip’s incredible talents from defensive midfield, having shown it throughout his Leeds United career and for England at international level alongside Rice. The 27-year-old also provides a huge presence in front of the defence as well as his stark leadership qualities.
There arguably isn’t a more perfect and ideal candidate to take Rice’s midfield throne at the London Stadium.