- West Ham have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Kalvin Phillips on loan from City
- There is said to be an option to buy as the player looks for vital game time
- It’s brainless to doubt David Moyes at West Ham – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off
West Ham have agreed a deal to sign Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season, according to reports.
Mail Sport previously reported how both clubs were close to reaching an agreement for the England midfielder to join until the end of the season.
According to the Athletic, the Hammers have now struck a deal that would see Phillips join until the summer – with an option to buy included – to give the England star a chance of grabbing some much-needed game-time ahead of Euro 2024.
Juventus were also interested in making a loan move for the 28-year-old, but David Moyes’ side look to have won the race for his signature after being linked with a number of teams in this window.
The report claims personal terms are not expected to be an issue – with West Ham set to pay for the entirety of Phillips’ wages at the London Stadium.
West Ham making progress in their bid to land Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips on loan
Phillips has been with the City squad at their warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi during their winter break but he will now fly back before finalising the move.
A number of rival Premier League clubs have registered an interested in Phillips but have been put off by the conditions of the deal. It is understood City were initially looking for a £6million loan fee for Phillips, in addition to offloading a large percentage of his wages.
There have also been concerns that it may take Phillips a while to regain match sharpness after 18 months of not playing regular first team football.
Newcastle and Crystal Palace are among the teams to have looked into signing the 28-year-old.
Phillips has struggled to get into Pep Guardiola’s team since arriving from Leeds for £42m
The Manchester City midfielder has long been on the wishlist of Moyes, even prior to his £42million transfer from Leeds United in 2022, and the West Ham boss has been dogged in his pursuit.
City were willing to loan Phillips out last summer amid interest from Liverpool among others when the loan fee was believed to be around £10m. This window it is understood to be around half that but no less substantial considering Phillips’ wages too.
West Ham though have stayed in the mix with Moyes convinced he can get the best out of Phillips. They have the added bonus of still being in Europe and sixth in the Premier League table.
Phillips has struggled to get in the City side under Guardiola ever since he joined the club – with the Spaniard admitting he could not find a place for him in his side.
In December the Spaniard – who came under fire in December 2022 for publically criticising the player’s weight – apologised for not picking him more times. He has failed to make a single start in the Premier League this season.
‘I don’t know what’s going to happen. I feel so sorry for my decision for him. I’ve said that many times,’ he said. ‘He doesn’t deserve what has happened to him and I’m so sorry.
‘The only thing I can say about him is I am asking for good personalities and characters and he is a perfect example. And after that I have to give him something and I didn’t do that.
‘It’s just because I visualise some things and visualise the team and things – and I struggle to see him. I’m not very pleased [with myself] and I am so sorry for him. I will not say that [to him] because it is a business and I have to be a professional.’