West Ham 'will ask question' over 'exceptional' £45m star at London Stadium | OneFootball

West Ham United will inquire about a potential move for Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips, journalist Paul Brown told GIVEMESPORT.

Phillips has endured a tormenting start to life in Manchester, but Brown believes it would take a lot for City to let go of the England international.

West Ham United transfer news - Kalvin Phillips

As per a report in The Sun, Phillips was subject to interest on deadline day from various Premier League sides, including West Ham.

The report claims West Ham, along with Everton and Leeds United, were interested in signing the City midfielder on loan until the end of the season.

It comes following a torrid start to life at City for Phillips, who joined the reigning Premier League champions from Leeds for £45 million in the summer.

While much of his frustrations can be put down to injuries and fitness concerns, there are still doubts over his suitability for Pep Guardiola's side and it has led to some questioning whether he could be shown the door by the Blues.

In a recent interview with GMS, transfer insider Dean Jones hinted West Ham could return for Phillips in the summer, should their midfield general Declan Rice leave the club as expected.

West Ham's interest in the holding midfielder is long-standing, having failed in an attempt to sign Phillips during the 2022 January transfer window.

A £55 million bid for the then-Leeds man was rejected in January 2022, with the Hammers reportedly reigniting their interest in the summer, before Phillips eventually signed for City.

What has Paul Brown said about Phillips to West Ham?

Despite previous setbacks, it appears West Ham are refusing to cool their interest in Phillips, but journalist Brown doesn't expect the Hammers to land him anytime soon.

Speaking in an interview with GMS, Brown said: "I'm sure they'll ask the question, but I don't think Kalvin Phillips wants to leave Man City.

"He's not really made a success of that yet and he's clearly determined to do so. I also don't think that Man City, having paid what they did for him, would be willing to let him go.

"I think something would have to go badly wrong there for Kalvin Phillips to become available.”

What would Phillips offer West Ham if he left Manchester City?

Should the unthinkable happen and Phillips does leave City in the summer, it's clear to see why West Ham would be so interested.

Phillips, who pockets a reported £150,000 per week, is an astute defensive midfield option, with FBref ranking him inside the top three per cent of tacklers in midfield.

What's more, Phillips, who Guardiola has previously dubbed "exceptional", also sits inside the top one per cent of midfielders for blocks made per 90 minutes, indicating he'd be a solid option to replace the reportedly departing Rice.