Premier League club to win Kalvin Phillips transfer race as Newcastle miss out

20 January 2024 , 20:30

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Kalvin Phillips is ready to leave Man City

West Ham are set to win the race for Kalvin Phillips in a loan switch next week to deal Newcastle a big blow.

Phillips is ready to leave champions Manchester City to boost his Euro 2024 prospects with England. The holding midfielder, 28, has got frustrated after only making four appearances in the Premier League this season.

Now Hammers boss David Moyes is offering the ace a chance to play much more after agreeing to meet his £130,000-a-week City salary. West Ham will also pay bonuses to Phillips to ensure he gets a pay rise after failing to establish himself at City since a £42million move from Leeds in 2022.

The deal is only an initial loan until the end of the season but could be reviewed in the summer when Phillips will have four years left on his contract.

It is a blow to Newcastle who have a long-standing interest in Phillips after midfielder Sandro Tonali was banned for 10 months in October for breaching betting rules.

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Juventus also made contact with Phillips’ representatives while Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson confirmed the Eagles’ interest earlier in the week.

But it is West Ham who are on course to land Phillips’ signature and have freed up some space on their wage bill by allowing Thilo Kehrer to join Monaco on loan.

Said Benrahma could also leave West Ham this month amid interest from clubs in France. West Ham visit Sheffield United on Sunday in the Premier League with Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio both out for an extended period.

Moyes was also without Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez, who missed Tuesday's FA Cup defeat at Championship side Bristol City with a calf problem.

News of Phillips’ impending switch is sure to be welcomed by England boss Gareth Southgate, who retained him in his squad despite his lack of playing time. Southgate admitted last year: “We’d like him to be in a better rhythm.”

James Nursey