“We’re hearing” – Sky say West Ham are “now in talks” to sign creative ace
According to Sky Sports this morning, West Ham United and manager David Moyes are “now in talks” to sign a “exceptional” player. The Hammers have started a conversation.
Hammers yet to make January signing
Although the team has been connected to attacking signings and a new midfield player, West Ham has not yet completed any business this month, but that might quickly change.
Due to injuries to players like Michail Antonio, a striker who recently experienced a setback in his recovery from a knee ailment, and star midfielder Lucas Paqueta, the Hammers’ transfer plans have shifted.
Moyes faces serious roster dilemmas because of Paqueta’s extended absence and Antonio’s unpredictability, even though star winger Jarrod Bowen might return to play Sheffield United this weekend.
It’s been shown that West Ham lacks depth after their starting eleven, and Moyes has few choices going forward and in the middle of the park because Mohammed Kudus is playing for Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations.
A number of elite attackers, such as Sergio Gimenez and Harry Kane, are being connected to West Ham.
Guirassy, but it’s thought that they are really interested in Kalvin Phillips, a Man City outcast, for the midfield position.
West Ham enter negotiations to sign Phillips
The 28-year-old, who joined City from Leeds in 2022 and has struggled to get game time under Pep Guardiola, is reportedly being courted by West Ham as a potential signing.
In a Friday update, Sky Sports said that West Ham is “now in talks” to sign Phillips and might offer him a path out of Eastlands. They also delivered some shocking news “this morning”.
“What we’re hearing this morning, West Ham are now in talks with Manchester City over a move for Kalvin Phillips” , the news outlet stated.
The report also states that a number of clubs in Europe and elsewhere are after the England international, who was praised for his “creativity” by Paul Robinson to Football Insider. However, West Ham is leading the chase.
Given that Moyes has previously publicly acknowledged his affection for Phillips, it comes as no surprise that the Scot is trying to capitalize on the player’s waning City career.
“I have always been a huge fan of Kalvin Phillips,” Moyes declared in 2021.
“I always thought he looked like a really influential player and a real prospect whenever I went to watch Leeds, and especially when they won the Championship and I was unemployed.”
The injury of Kalvin Phillips
| Kalvin Phillips injury record since 2020 | Games missed (via Transfermarkt) |
|---|---|
| Shoulder injury – 2022/2023 | 18 |
| Hamstring injury – 2021/2022 | 16 |
| Calf injury – 2020/2021 | 6 |
| Shoulder injury – 2020/2021 | 7 |
“I think he has stepped up really quickly, I think he got into the England squad when maybe other people were suggested in front of him but I think he’s done well.”
It will be intriguing to see whether West Ham can reduce his wages and still convince him to move to east London, given that he is reportedly paid £135,000 per week (Sky Sports).
