West Ham United: Fabrizio Romano shares new Kalvin Phillips update amid Fulham interest
Fabrizio Romano has shared a new update on the future of West Ham loanee Kalvin Phillips amid reported interest from fellow Premier League side Fulham.
The England international has struggled since joining the Irons on a short-term deal in the January transfer window.
Phillips does not appear to have a future at parent club Manchester City, but West Ham are not expected to push for a permanent deal.
In an update on his Daily Briefing page [8 April], Romano wrote: “It’s not been the easiest season for Kalvin Phillips, who struggled for playing time at Manchester City and who is now failing to impress on loan at West Ham.
“As things stand, I don’t expect Phillips to stay at West Ham permanently. I think there will be other options and solutions.”
Romano added that links with Fulham, as well as former club Leeds United, are “premature” at this point and nothing concrete has been decided with regards to Phillips’ future.
How many times has Kalvin Phillips played for Man City?
West Ham took a gamble of sorts in signing Phillips in the January window as, while it was only a loan deal, they had to set aside a fairly sizable amount to cover the agreement.
Phillips has featured just 31 times for Man City – the majority of those as a substitute and in cup competitions – since joining from Leeds in a big-money deal nearly two years ago.
The one positive is the loan deal has acted as a trial period of sorts, and it is fair to say that Phillips has not passed the trial on the basis of the past couple of months.
From giving away goals, penalties and getting sent off, to publicly falling out with a fan, the English midfielder will perhaps wonder if he had been better off staying on the Man City bench.
It is unfortunate that it has not worked out for Phillips, but he could easily revive his career next season with the right move this summer. The problem, though, is many teams will not fancy paying what Man City are asking for.
At least West Ham know they have dodged a bullet and a better option can instead be brought in permanently ahead of next season.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have reportedly been blown away by a player at another English club ahead of the summer transfer window.
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