West Ham United best-placed to secure Kalvin Phillips in January transfer deal
West Ham look “best-placed” to win the race to sign Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips in January, with the England international set to make his decision next week, according to The Standard.
The newspaper reported on 18 January that the Hammers lead Crystal Palace and Newcastle in their pursuit of Phillips, while Barcelona and Athletico Madrid have also been linked.
Manchester City will reportedly demand the entirety of his £135,000-per-week wages be paid if he leaves on loan this month, which looks the most likely outcome as things stand.
Push to get this done
With some of the more high-profile interest in Phillips, West Ham must make sure they make their “good position” count to bring him in ahead of their competitors this month.
While the club are already well-stocked for midfielders, with James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez and usually Thomas Soucek taking up the three spaces in David Moyes’ system, it’s difficult to pass up on a player of Phillips’ quality.
Of course, there will be reservations surrounding the money involved in the deal, with a potential £6million loan fee reported elsewhere on top of his costly wage packet, but it is an opportunity to strengthen the squad.
An England regular, and somebody with trophy-winning experience after being involved in Manchester City’s treble-winning season, although with much of that involvement from the bench, is not the type of player you can afford to say no to.
If the Hammers want to secure further silverware this season, with the Europa League very much on the cards, this type of quality and experience could prove vital.
In other West Ham news, an expert told Sky Sports about European interest in one Hammers ace.
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