May 17, 2024
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West Ham could be able to sign Kalvin Phillips in £40m deal this summer

By
Henry Jackson
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: Kalvin Phillips of Manchester City reacts during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Newcastle United and Manchester Cityat St James' Park on September 27, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Manchester City could reportedly accept a £40m offer for Kalvin Phillips from West Ham this summer, should they want to make his loan move a permanent one.

The Hammers clinched the temporary signing of the England international during the January transfer window, with a move away from the Etihad badly needed for him.

Phillips has found himself almost completely out of favour under Pep Guardiola, and with Euro 2024 around the corner, it was clear that a new challenge was required.

West Ham snapped him up, in what represents an exciting signing, even though he did make a bad start to life in east London, gifting Bournemouth a goal on his debut in the 1-1 draw at the London Stadium on Thursday.

According to Football Insider, the Hammers could be able to sign Phillips for £40m at the end of the season, should they decide they want to keep him on:

“West Ham United have been told by Man City that they will have to play £40million to make Kalvin Phillips’ loan move permanent, sources have told Football Insider.

[…]

“Phillips joined the Hammers on loan for the remainder of the season, but his deal does not include an option to buy. Should David Moyes’ side want to retain the England international after this campaign, they would have to enter fresh negotiations with Man City.

“It is believed that the 28-year-old does not feature in Pep Guardiola’s long-term plans and the club will look to get him off their books permanently in the summer.”

It is too soon to know if a permanent move for Phillips this summer makes sense, but he is certainly a high-level player who has been a key man for England in the past, impressing greatly at Euro 2020.

Admittedly, his career has stalled in the last 18 months or so, but there is no reason why he can’t be reborn at West Ham, adding a combination of technical ability and bite to the midfield.

Phillips will be so desperate to prove his worth before the Euros, as he looks to feature prominently for Gareth Southgate’s side, and the fact that he could want to join the Hammers on a long-term deal may also mean he is more focused than ever.

West Ham battling Premier League rivals for signing of Victor Boniface

By
Henry Jackson
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West Ham and Chelsea are reportedly battling to complete the signing of Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface this summer.

The Hammers could look to sign a new attacking hero come the end of the season, especially if Michail Antonio ends up moving on, with his current deal expiring once the current campaign reaches its conclusion.

At 33, the West Ham ace arguably isn’t the force he used to be leading the line, which is highlighted by the fact that he has only started 11 Premier League games this season.

According to a fresh transfer update from Football Insider, the east Londoners are keen on signing Boniface in the summer transfer window, but face stiff competition from Chelsea:

“West Ham are set to be joined by Chelsea and other Premier League clubs in the race for Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

“It is believed multiple top-flight English clubs are already laying the groundwork to sign the 23-year-old – who will not be released from the German club in the January window despite interest.”

[…]

“A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Leverkusen will soften their stance on letting him leave for the right price in the summer window – potentially spawning a bidding war for the striker’s signature.”

Boniface could be an excellent summer signing by West Ham, given the pedigree he has. He may be sidelined by injury currently, failing to aid Leverkusen in their Bundesliga title push – they are top of the table of Bayern Munich, as things stand – but he has proven himself as an excellent player in recent years.

The 23-year-old’s impact in 2023/24 before his fitness setback is highlighted by an eye-catching return of 10 goals and seven assists in 16 league appearances, and that level of end product could make the Hammers even more of a force moving forward.

Boniface is still a young footballer, so he would be coming in as someone who could make an impact for many years to come, although he is contracted with Leverkusen until 2028, so a sizeable bid may be required to seal his services.

With Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen already such key attacking players for West Ham, the Nigerian ace could be a great foil for the Hammers duo moving forward, leading the line with a combination of finishing and creativity.

Striker problems laid bare as West Ham limp to draw at Sheffield United

By
Justin Peach
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A late penalty denied West Ham three points as they drew 2-2 with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday. 

Maxwel Cornet’s netted his first goal for the club and a second-half James Ward-Prowse penalty weren’t enough to help West Ham United earn the three points away at Sheffield United.

It was a frustrating afternoon in Yorkshire as the Hammers dropped two points in their pursuit of a place in the top six. David Moyes’ side led twice but let the lead slip on both occasions, travelling back to East London frustrated.

Ivory Coast international Cornet made it 1-0 close to the half-hour mark, but Blades league debutant Ben Brereton Díaz ensured the scores were level at half-time with a 44th-minute strike.

Ward-Prowse took his opportunity for his fourth of the season from 12 yards before Oli McBurnie scored a 103rd-minute penalty.

The performances of the officials however left Moyes angered, with the Scot claiming that the level of officiating has plunged so low that no one knows what referees are “going to do” after chaotic scenes in stoppage time at Bramall Lane.

West Ham’s manager was unhappy at the referee, Michael Salisbury, awarding a late penalty to Sheffield United, scored by Oli McBurnie in the 103rd-minute penalty, before then refusing to give Jarrod Bowen one at the other end 60 seconds later.

Game management and poor control

It was an open game at Bramall Lane with both sides having plenty of opportunities to score with a high-scoring game no surprise.

Having exited the FA Cup earlier in the week to Bristol City, it will leave a sour taste in the mouth of Moyes and supporters.

But, with the lack of available attackers despite the return of Bowen, it should serve as a reminder of the need for reinforcements for the club.

Alphonse Areola was forced off with injury in this game coupled with Vladimir Coufal earning a red card meaning depth will further be tested going into the next games.

West Ham look at Manchester City midfielder

By
Justin Peach
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: Kalvin Phillips of Manchester City reacts during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Newcastle United and Manchester Cityat St James' Park on September 27, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

West Ham have enjoyed an incredible 2023/24 season so far under David Moyes as they look to build on their impressive start to the season.

Form has been exceptional in the league and in Europe as the club look to continue building on their Europa Conference LEague success last season.

However, performances in domestic cup competitions hasn’t been great as the Hammers were knocked out of the FA Cup third round to Championship side Bristol City earlier this week.

It was an inexperienced side owing to mounting injuries for Moyes who will be hoping he can add to his side this January.

However, most clubs are seemingly holding back with the likes of Everton and Nottingham Forest falling foul of FFP restrictions with punishments yet to be decided.

However, it has been recently reported that Moyes could target Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips to bolster his squad and help them maintain their top six push.

According to BBC Sport, Moyes could look to sign the out-of-favour midfielder to bolster his side.

It would be a move that suits both parties with Phillips needing game time having made just ten appearances so far this season and with Euro 2024 on the horizon, the former Leeds man will desperate for more game time.

Moyes is understandably desperate to add to his squad that has been weakened by several injuries in recent weeks.

Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio are both out for an extended period, while Moyes said Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez had missed Tuesday’s FA Cup defeat at Championship side Bristol City with a calf problem. 

Should West Ham focus on other areas?

The Hammers have been rocked by several injuries to key players recently. Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta both picked up injuries while Mohammed Kudus is with Ghana at AFCON meaning their forward line is threadbare.

The club still have Danny Ings but he has also been linked with a move away from the London Stadium with his gametime this season and form not where it needs to be.

With this shortage of attackers, it would make sense to strengthen quality and depth in the final third to ensure the club can maintain it’s impressive form heading into the second half of the campaign.

West Ham among clubs interested in signing Chelsea striker Armando Broja

By
Henry Jackson
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West Ham are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea striker Armando Broja, but they face competition for his signature.

The Hammers are having a good season overall, but their inconsistent nature was summed up by Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat away to Bristol City in their FA Cup third round replay.

In order for David Moyes’ side to have the best possible chance of sealing European football again, as well as going far in the Europa League, new additions in the January transfer window could be needed.

In attack, it looks as though West Ham are looking for more firepower, and according to The Daily Mail [via West Ham Zone], they are keen on acquiring the signature of Broja, who is valued at £50m by Chelsea.

The Hammers are not alone in expressing an interest in signing the 22-year-old, however, with fellow Premier League side Wolves also thought to be in the mix.

Broja could be an excellent signing for West Ham if they can strike a deal with Chelsea this month, even though the amount of money being mooted is eye-watering.

At just 22, the Albanian is a striker who has so much long-term potential, and while he has only scored once in 13 Premier League appearances this season – just six have been starts – it is hard for anyone to be a roaring success at Stamford Bridge at the moment, given the Blues’ struggles.

Broja could benefit from being a more prominent part of Moyes’ plans than he is under Mauricio Pochettinho, although he is someone who has still been lauded by his current manager, who said of him recently:

“The potential is amazing. We are talking about one of the young strikers in England or in Europe with the most potential. But now he needs to push himself and we are going to try to help to realise it is never enough and work really hard.”

With Michail Antonio arguably not the force he used to be, with age starting to catch up with him, Broja could be seen as an upgrade moving forward, as he looks to kick on in his career.

He has more chance of starting regularly at the London Stadium and it would be fascinating to see how he dovetails with the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen in attack.

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