Transfer News: Manchester United face new competition from West Ham for Kalvin Phillips
According to The Sun, Manchester United will face new competition from West Ham United for the services of Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips. He has emerged to become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League following his rise to the top over the last year or so.
David Moyes is keen to bring in a midfielder at the end of this season to help in their rise to the top. He has shortlisted Phillips alongside James Ward-Prowse of Southampton as potential targets for this summer transfer window. Man United would be dealt a blow by this update, as they have already expressed an interest in the Leeds superstar.
The Hammers were also interested in signing Phillips back in January, and they had even made a £50million transfer bid for that purpose. The Whites had rejected the approach just like they did with the offer from Aston Villa. Steven Gerrard’s side has maintained their interest as well ahead of this summer.
Is Phillips to Man Utd possible?
The Englishman is a life-long fan of Leeds, which in and of itself shows the stern challenge that awaits us when it comes to signing him. After all, the Manchester club are bitter rivals of his current side, which could prove to be a stumbling block in our attempt to sign him.
That being said, Daniel James’ transfer to Elland Road last summer would instil fans with some confidence regarding a potential move. Whether that will be enough to prise away a childhood Leeds supporter such as Phillips would only be known in due time.
Moyes’ side’s entry would undoubtedly add to the issues that we would face in our pursuit to sign Phillips. After all, they would give the 26-year-old an option to move to a bigger club without leaving a bitter taste with the Whites fans by joining the Red Devils.
Jesse Marsch’s side is currently engaged in a relegation standoff, and perhaps Phillips could be sold on a cut-price deal if they drop down to the Championship. After all, they would have to meet the financial blow that would follow their failure to survive in the PL.
There was a clear need to bring in a holding midfielder last summer, which the Manchester board failed to address. The after-effects were visible throughout this season as we were often overrun in the centre of the pitch. The problem has been further heightened by the fact that our only natural option in Nemanja Matic will leave this summer.
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Hence, we must do our best to find suitable targets who can shuttle our struggling defence while being able to progress the ball up the pitch. Phillips can do just that, but it remains to be seen whether we can sign him or not in the future.
One could wonder what Declan Rice’s future holds with regards to the Londoners’ interest in Phillips. West Ham’s young Englishman, Rice, is linked with a move to teams such as Chelsea and Man United but if he stays, it would be interesting to see if Phillips can displace him or Tomas Soucek in West Ham’s double pivot- granted he moves to the London stadium.
