It has been reported this afternoon that West Ham United have agreed a deal to sign Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City – and a journalist has now shared details of the option-to-buy clause.
Phillips has been strongly linked with the Hammers in recent days.
The London club seemingly took the lead in the race to sign him a couple of days ago, with it being reported that Newcastle United and Juventus both had concerns about his match sharpness.
But on Tuesday afternoon, word spread of West Ham reaching an agreement with City.
The Hammers have agreed an option-to-buy clause for the player, which was shared by Florian Plettenberg on X…
West Ham can buy Kalvin Phillips for £34 million this summer as agreement with Manchester City reached
German journalist Plettenberg has covered the Phillips situation recently because the player has been linked with Bayern Munich at points.
He therefore has some information about the negotiations and situation, and following news of the agreement between West Ham and City, he revealed the option-to-buy clause that is in place.
He said: “Exclusive Detail: West Ham has secured an option to buy of around €40m in summer.”
This equates to around £34 million, with West Ham also paying a loan fee to City. Plettenberg adds that the medical for Phillips is scheduled for Thursday.
City signed Phillips from Leeds United for an initial £42 million, rising to £45 million, meaning the club don’t stand to lose too much if West Ham do sign him permanently.
Good negotiating from City
If it’s true that an option-to-buy clause of around £34 million has been negotiated then that’s good business by City, considering the Hammers are paying a loan fee too.
Ultimately, it hasn’t worked out for Phillips at the Etihad, with the player making just 31 appearances for the club so far. This term he’s played just 318 minutes and last season he played 593.
City were always going to have to take a hit on him as a result of his game time.
So to potentially sell him for £34 million in the summer is really not bad going.
Hopefully, Phillips is able to get his career back on track and become an important player for the Irons in the second half of the season. His England place is in jeopardy right now and he needs to finish 2023/24 strongly to make sure he’s on that plane to Euro 2024.
He’s obviously still a good player. John Stones said last season that Phillips was ‘outrageous’ for his passing ability, and Pep Guardiola has previously branded him ‘intelligent’.
It’s just one of those things. The level is so high at City and unfortunately, Phillips just hasn’t been able to prove himself, but that doesn’t mean he won’t for another club.
