West Ham will not sign Leeds United duo Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha
West Ham are reportedly not in the running to secure summer moves for Leeds United duo Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.
According to the Mirror’s David Anderson, the Hammers were keen on signing the two in January.
However, he claims that any reports of bids being made could be to appease the London Stadium faithful.
He wrote, “West Ham would like us to believe they bid £50million each for Phillips and Raphinha last month. Leeds may disagree and while there was contact from West Ham, they were swiftly rebuffed and no offers were made.
“Call me cynical, but you could be forgiven for thinking the Hammers are trying to spin a line to their unhappy supporters over their lack of signings in January.
“So sorry West Ham. You can delude yourself that you are in the bidding to sign Phillips and Raphinha, when the truth is you are not.”
Shame
Phillips and Raphinha’s transfer interest came as a bit of a surprise as there weren’t any prior links.
They were two positions that did not even require immediate strengthening and to shell out club-record fees was a bit far fetched.
If what Anderson is claiming is true, then it’s shambolic from the entire Hammers hierarchy.
Their focus should have been on signing a centre-back and a striker and they failed at doing both.
In the summer, while Phillips and Raphinha would be welcome additions, Europe’s elite are also likely to be in the running for them.
This can be put down as a fantasy transfer saga and the Hammers could now move on to better things.
In other West Ham news, winner named in race to sign ‘Brilliant’ English forward wanted by the Hammers, Liverpool and Leeds United
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