West Ham have joined the race for Kalvin Phillips ahead of the January transfer window according to Football Insider.
It’s believed that Manchester City are willing to listen to offers for the 27-year-old England international with the former Leeds man struggling to make an impact in Manchester since his move last summer.
Now, the treble-winners are open to a loan or permanent exit for the midfielder, who does not fit into Pep Guardiola’s long-term plans at the Etihad Stadium.
This has seemingly opened the door for other sides, with West Ham one of the clubs taking a keen interest in the deep-lying playmaker.
James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez both arrived in the summer and with Tomas Soucek struggling in the first team, a move for Phillips could be on the cards.
The Czech international has struggled for form this campaign and has been in and out of the side this season with Ward-Prowse and Alvarez preferred over the midfielder.
Will West Ham move for Kalvin Phillips?
Soucek signed a four-year deal in August and has been an important player since joining from Slavia Prague. His form has been inconsistent this season but so has West Ham’s.
Other players have struggled, including Ward-Prowse and mainstay Michail Antonio. So, Soucek isn’t immune from criticism and neither are the new signings who have had a positive impact.
The Hammers haven’t had this level of quality and depth for a long time so the Czech international is likely to find his way in and out of the team.
Bringing in Kalvin Phillips wouldn’t add much into the midfield that isn’t already there. He fits a similar profile of Alvarez where patrolling the midfield, preventing counterattacks and being tidy in possession are the main aspects of their roles.
Adding an extra player, who’s likely to cost a significant amount in both transfer fee and wages makes little to no sense.
A striker has to be the priority with any potential for adding to their already well-stocked midfield being moved to the summer.
