22 January 2024 , 19:48
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Kalvin Phillips is open to ending his Manchester City nightmare and going on loan to West Ham.
Phillips, 28, is desperate to play more minutes ahead of this summer's European Championship, with his England place under threat. The ex-Leeds United midfielder hasn't started a single Premier League game this season, with City boss Pep Guardiola preferring an array of alternative options over his £45million signing.
West Ham manager David Moyes has been monitoring his situation and it's understood that the Irons are now closing in on a half-season loan deal with a view to a permanent stay. But a report from the Daily Mail claims that Italian giants Juventus, who considered signing Phillips earlier this month, are weighing up a late move which could throw a spanner in the works.
The 28-year-old was made available at the start of January but the European champions' demands that a large percentage of Phillips' wages be covered on top of a £6m loan fee has been a put-off for multiple Premier League sides - such as injury-hit Newcastle United and relegation-threatened Crystal Palace.
England boss Gareth Southgate has gone on record to say that he understands Phillips' lack of playing time, while Guardiola has publicly apologised to the Euro 2024 hopeful on various occasions. "I've said that many times: he doesn't deserve what has happened to him and I'm so sorry," City's manager confessed last month.
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West Ham coach Kevin Nolan recently confirmed their interest in Phillips, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: "Who isn't a massive admirer of Kalvin Phillips? England international, top player, brilliant at Leeds - one of the main reasons they stayed in the league - one of the reasons Man City paid the money they did.
West Ham coach Kevin Nolan and manager David Moyes are "massive admirers" of Kalvin Phillips (Julian Finney/Getty Images)Your turn! Should Kalvin Phillips sign for West Ham on loan? Give us your verdict in the comments section.
"So look, we're massive admirers of Kalvin and he'd be a great one to add to our squad. I think he'd only be a great acquisition. That's all I can say and I'm hoping if he's going to go anywhere from Man CIty, I would rather it be us than Crystal Palace."
In-form City are next in action on Friday, as they visit Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round. Moyes' West Ham, meanwhile, don't play again until their soonest league fixture at home to Bournemouth next Thursday.