HITC understands that West Ham United are advancing their talks with Manchester City over a deal for England midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
City have made it clear to Phillips that he can leave the club this January as he is not part of Pep Guardiola’s long-term plans.
A host of sides have been linked including the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and Newcastle – but West Ham are now progressing with talks after David Moyes made it clear to the club’s hierarchy that he wanted the former Leeds man, as HITC revealed last week.
Newcastle had been the long-term favourites to land Phillips and had previously held talks but baulked at City’s demands for the player. City want the player’s full wages – which HITC understand are around £160,000-a-week, met in full whilst they also wanted a loan fee of £5million paid.
City demands
City are happy with their demands as they do need to move him in, so they feel they are in a very good position when negotiating with interested parties.
West Ham are now locked in talks and the two clubs do have a good relationship following their extensive talks over Lucas Paqueta in the summer and HITC sources confirm that during that time, The Hammers did enquire about Phillips as Moyes was keen on a deal.
Highest paid player
Now The Hammers are moving towards a deal and HITC understands they are prepared to cover the wages of the England midfielder – which would put him ahead of Danny Ings as the club’s highest earner.
West Ham though are trying to broker the overall package down, and they are hopeful that they can secure Phillips’s signature.
HITC understands that a move to Newcastle was the player’s preference, but West Ham are a club he has always admired and he made it known through his representatives that he was more than happy to move to the London Stadium. He appreciates the fact they tried to sign him before he joined City.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
