An insider’s huge claim about a genius West Ham transfer plan will infuriate Leeds as a new Kalvin Phillips bid is mooted.
As West Ham and Leeds United fans well know, Phillips was one of David Moyes’ prime targets in the last two windows.
The Scot even admitted West Ham had actually offered Leeds MORE money than Manchester City to sign the midfield ace (MEN).
West Ham saw a January window bid of £55m rejected and tried again for Declan Rice’s then England midfield partner in the summer (The Sun, The Guardian).
But Leeds hero Phillips ended up joining Man City instead for £13m less and has barely played – as many predicted would be the case.
Injury issues have blighted the 27-year-old’s first season at the Etihad. But even when fit, Phillips has found himself nothing more than a bit-part player behind the likes of Rodri in the Man City side.
With speculation intensifying during the World Cup that Rice will leave West Ham in the summer – and Man City one of the many clubs linked – Phillips’ situation in Manchester is no doubt being closely monitored by the Hammers.
When Pep Guardiola publicly criticised Phillips for returning from the World Cup “overweight” it put West Ham on red alert – and no doubt brought a wry smile to the face of Leeds fans who are still angry at his departure.
Well Leeds fans may not be laughing when they read what West Ham are cooking up.
When Phillips was being linked with a move to West Ham, many Leeds supporters scoffed at the idea, suggesting the east Londoners were not a step up for their midfielder and insisting they were the bigger club.
So an insider’s huge claim about a genius West Ham transfer plan will infuriate Leeds as a new Phillips bid is mooted.
According to sources speaking to Football Insider, West Ham are planning to give Man City first option on talisman Rice in exchange for ex Leeds star Phillips plus cash.
Man City are among the teams monitoring Rice’s situation even though they signed Phillips last summer.
“West Ham would be willing to swap Declan Rice for Kalvin Phillips plus cash in a sensational summer deal, sources have told Football Insider,” the report states.
“Football Insider revealed earlier this week (1 January) that the Irons have reignited their interest in Phillips following his Guardiola dressing down.”
Of all the scenarios for West Ham fans when contemplating Rice leaving, getting Phillips, cash and not allowing their star to join rivals Chelsea is about as good as it gets.
Rice is head and shoulders a better player than Phillips, who is nowhere near as dynamic a midfielder as West Ham’s main man.
But after their mocking of the Hammers, Leeds fans would be infuriated to see Phillips join the club just one year on.
The key to the whole move of course would undoubtedly be persuading Phillips to leave Man City, where he is on a long contract and undoubtedly big wages too.
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