West Ham are close to agreeing a contract with Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips as the January transfer deadline approaches, according to reports.
The England international has yet to start a Premier League game this season and has made just nine appearances in all competitions under Pep Guardiola.
Rodri, one of the best defensive midfielders in world football, and others stand in his way of a place in Guardiola’s starting eleven, but now it seems Man City are ready to let him go on loan.
There has been talk for weeks about his possible destination, with Newcastle and Tottenham initially mentioned as the top two favourites to sign Phillips.
Now, however, West Ham appear to have won the race for the former Leeds United centre-forward, with Football Insider claiming that the Hammers “expect to agree a deal to sign” Phillips “within the next 48 hours”.
West Ham, Man City and Phillips “are confident talks will break down after further progress was made overnight”, with the Hammers “keen to reach an agreement to bring the England centre-half in by the end of the season”.
Newcastle and Tottenham “were put off by the terms of the deal”, but now West Ham appear to have won the race with Phillips “keen to leave the Etihad in search of regular minutes”.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed on Tuesday that the deal is nearing completion, with a new round of talks scheduled “soon”.
Romano wrote on the X website: “Calvin Phillips, ever closer to West Ham. Negotiations are progressing as we reported yesterday. A new round of talks will take place soon as opinion on #WHUFC is still positive. Talks with Man City on deal structure are ongoing.”
Former Premier League striker Darren Bent believes West Ham will make an “unlikely” signing if they manage to seal a deal for Phillips.
“Even if David Moyes brings in two players, Calvin Phillips and Emil Smith-Rowe, it will be two unbelievable signings for their squad, especially to go into Europe and go into the top six where they are,” Bent told talkSPORT.
“If you’re a West Ham fan, all of a sudden you’re excited about the players you have. When you bring those two in, you’re almost like, ‘Oh my God! What can we do with this team?’
“Definitely in the top six. At least top six. I think they should aim for the top six, because I think they are a good team, but if they add those two, the top six will become the minimum.”