West Ham could sign Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips
Kalvin Phillips moved from Leeds to Manchester City last summer but could be on the move again, this time to West Ham, according to Graeme Bailey.
Manchester City have reportedly entered negotiations with West Ham for Declan Rice, however, the Hammers might be interested in a midfielder coming the other way.
That is according to journalist Graeme Bailey who was speaking with the Chasing Green Arrows YouTube channel (22 June). He believes that Phillips is a key West Ham target, whether or not he is a part of the Rice deal.
“Even if Rice went to Arsenal, I still think Kalvin Phillips is a huge goal for West Ham. Even if that doesn’t happen (swap deal with Rice), I still think there’s a huge chance he ends up at West Ham,” Bailey said.
Phillips’ name was mentioned by David Ornstein who suggested the midfielder could be used in a deal for Rice.
“When Manchester City’s interest emerged, Kalvin Phillips’ name did come up in dispatches, to my knowledge Kalvin Phillips wants to stay at Manchester City,” Ornstein told the FIVE Youtube channel (22 June).
Good deal
If West Ham lose Rice but manage to bring in some cash plus Phillips, that is a very good deal for the club.
Phillips would be a brilliant replacement for the hole that Rice will leave behind in David Moyes’ midfield. He didn’t play much at Manchester City last year but that shouldn’t make people forget the quality of player he is.
An England international still very much in his prime who could really benefit from some more minutes would be brilliant business for the Hammers.
Of course, from Phillips’ perspective, the move also makes a lot of sense. In all reality, it is difficult to see the former Leeds man getting into Pep’s starting lineup next season, especially if the club sign Rice.
He will need to be playing regularly and won’t want to spend a second season sat on the bench, especially if he wants to maintain his spot in the England squad with the Euros coming up at the conclusion of next season.
This is a move that could gain some legs as time goes on. It makes too much sense not to.