West Ham are reportedly weighing up a fresh approach to sign Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips this summer.
According to Football Insider, West Ham United are prepared to rekindle their interest in Kalvin Phillips. The Londoners reportedly had a £50 million offer rejected by Leeds United in January, but it appears the midfielder has now become the priority target for David Moyes for the upcoming summer transfer window.
Indeed, West Ham are weighing up offering a massive salary package to Phillips in an attempt to lure him to London next season. They are also preparing an improved bid from the £50 million offer they had made in the winter transfer window.
West Ham’s desire to sign Phillips in a big-money deal indicates they have made the Englishman their ideal option to replace Declan Rice. It is no secret that the talented holding midfielder is expected to leave the London Stadium in the summer amid interest from Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Rice’s potential exit could create a massive void in the West Ham midfield, as there are very few players who can offer the grit and leadership the Englishman provides to the table.
In Kalvin Phillips, though, Moyes could find himself an interesting alternative who has earned quite a reputation for his technical prowess and composure in the middle of the park. Dubbed as the “Yorkshire Pirlo”, Phillips is indeed a sensible operator and a hard worker on the pitch, making him an ideal replacement for someone like Rice.
However, the race to sign the 26-year-old could be long and hard, as far as West Ham are concerned. The Leeds United star is courted by almost every big club in the Premier League, while the cash-rich Newcastle United are reportedly weighing up a move as well.
Some reports even label Aston Villa as the front-runners to sign the Englishman, who may even prolong his stay at Elland Road, should Leeds United manage to preserve their top-flight status for another year. It is no secret that Phillips loves his hometown club, and he would certainly entertain the opportunity to guide them through another season under the leadership of new coach Jesse Marsch.
It could ultimately force West Ham to set their sights on other alternatives. The Hammers have been linked with a move for PSG outcast Georginio Wijnaldum, for a start, although the Dutchman is a far more attack-minded option than Phillips.
