West Ham United is reportedly among the frontrunners to secure the services of England midfielder Kalvin Phillips during the January transfer window, as per reports from Sussex Express on October 10th, writes the WHZ. The 28-year-old has found it challenging to secure regular playing time at Manchester City since his move from Leeds United, despite multiple injuries and suspensions affecting the midfield.
With Phillips seemingly set to depart the Etihad Stadium in January, a loan transfer has been discussed. West Ham and Everton are currently leading the race to acquire his signature once the transfer window reopens.
The report states, “Kalvin Phillips is perfect for Brighton, but West Ham and Everton are favorites for a January move.” During the previous summer transfer window, there was substantial speculation that Manchester City was seeking to offload Phillips, and West Ham appeared to be the primary contender to sign him as a potential replacement for Declan Rice.
However, the anticipated transfer didn’t materialize, as Phillips opted to stay at Manchester City. Instead, West Ham, under the guidance of manager David Moyes, secured the signings of James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez to strengthen their midfield ranks.
Despite Phillips’ impressive attributes, West Ham has been performing exceptionally well this season, and he has struggled to secure playing time at Manchester City. Therefore, the question arises as to whether his arrival would genuinely enhance the team’s performance. Furthermore, Phillips commands a substantial wage, and the chances of him accepting a pay cut seem slim. It’s also doubtful whether Manchester City would be willing to let him leave without an arrangement in place for his full or majority wage.
The unfolding developments surrounding Kalvin Phillips’ future will be intriguing to observe in the coming months. However, it is possible that his opportunity to make a move to the London Stadium has passed him by, given the current state of affairs at West Ham and his limited playing time at Manchester City.