West Ham United: Premier League director speaks out on Kalvin Phillips transfer costs
One Premier League director claimed the cost involved in Kalvin Phillips’ loan move to West Ham was not the kind of deal that would see the club rise up the table, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported via its print edition [2 April] that a £6million loan fee and wages of £140,000 per week were seen as too high for a player who may not have been in top physical condition.
It was also said that several clubs walked away from the deal in January due to fears over whether he would be worth the price put on him by Manchester City.
Kalvin Phillips has been shocking on loan at West Ham
Since moving on loan in the January transfer window, Phillips’ performances have drawn plenty of criticism after a slow start where he made several key errors, was sent off in the clash against Nottingham Forest and was left out of the recent England squad as a result.
Controversy emerged surrounding the midfielder following the 4-3 loss against Newcastle in which he gave away a penalty after coming off the bench, as Phillips was filmed swearing at West Ham fans who were giving him abuse.
However, Jeff Stelling insisted that those fans waiting for the team bus after the game to throw abuse deserved to get a bit back, saying his sympathy lays with the West Ham player and calling for people not to make a big deal of his actions.
His displays since joining the Hammers have led to widespread criticism, with Graeme Souness going as far as to claim that the midfielder is not even Premier League quality as he only shone during his time with Leeds United.
In other West Ham news, a Harry Maguire transfer deal is now on the cards.
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