Manchester City’s midfielder Kalvin Phillips has transferred to West Ham United after interest from several clubs, including Arsenal.
Phillips has hardly featured since his transfer from Leeds United last year under Pep Guardiola, and it recently emerged that he has even spoken to Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale about his problems on international duty.
Arsenal were one of a number of clubs to look at Phillips due to a lack of playing time, but a loan move from title rivals Man City was always unlikely, and now he has rather surprisingly joined West Ham in search of first-team football.
West Ham moved for the 28-year-old to help replace Declan Rice, who had been hugely successful after a summer move to Arsenal, and it has now been revealed that the pair had held talks ahead of Phillips’ loan move.
Kalvin Phillips had talks with Declan Rice before leaving Man City:
Phillips admitted to West Ham media on his arrival today that he had spoken to his England team-mate Rice about the club and admired his success last season.
“I’ve spoken to Dec quite a bit about West Ham as well, but I haven’t spoken to Jarrod (Bowen) or (Danny) Ingsy or Prowsey, but I’ll see them in training tomorrow,” he stated.
“I didn’t watch the game (the Europa League Conference final win), but I watched the celebrations. I saw a lot of videos of Dec celebrating. I was very happy for Dec and Jarrod – they are great guys and I talk to them a lot in England.”
Phillips has played alongside Rice for England in a number of tournaments, including last year’s World Cup, as well as Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Ramsdale and Eddie Nketiah.
Should Arsenal be looking to sign Kalvin Phillips?
Although Phillips impressed at Leeds United, he was an undisputed failure at Man City. He joined for £45m last season and has hardly featured since, struggling with injuries.
Even when he was healthy and first-choice Rodri was suspended, he still couldn’t break into the team, but interest in him remained after what he did at Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa.
Arsenal are interested in Martin Zubimendi for a summer transfer and the Spaniard would be a younger and less injury-prone midfielder.
Although Phillips could be a good replacement for Thomas Partey, both players have hardly featured this season, but since Partey will be back, Arsenal would be better off waiting for his return rather than trying to sign the City player.