According to reports, Manchester City is willing to let Kalvin Phillips, a summer transfer target for West Ham, leave the team during the January transfer period.
The i (10 October) reported that Phillips has no shortage of suitors because West Ham, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Everton, and Bayern Munich have all previously expressed interest.
West Ham should not be discouraged from making another move for Phillips in January even though they have now acquired James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez for a combined £65 million.
With the exception of Mohammed Kudus perhaps replacing Michail Antonio now that the Ghanaian is up to speed following his own summer arrival, David Moyes’ preferred starting lineup is already quite obvious.
The favored central-midfield trio of Alvarez, Ward-Prowse, and Tomas Soucek is a triangle that can rotate, with the latter two typically switching off to drive forward into a number 10 position.
But after those three, Moyes’ options are extremely constrained. West Ham would ideally have one more high-tier player in that area with another strong European run conceivably in the works and a few cup competitions to balance on top of Premier League responsibilities.
Consider Phillips, who shone for Leeds United in the Premier League and frequently represented England before failing after joining City for a fee that would increase to £55 million in July 2022 [Sky Sports].
Although last season’s injury issues nearly prevented him from making Gareth Southgate’s World Cup team, it seems Pep Guardiola just does not value the player he was so anxious to sign.
It’s also not to imply that Phillips won’t be able to perform at London Stadium, where he possesses all the necessary attributes to become a true fan hero.
In light of the fact that the 27-year-old will probably be offered for a discount – City obviously do not want him, after all – this seems like a move that West Ham should at the very least strongly examine prior to the transfer market reopening.
