Premier League duo Aston Villa and West Ham United have both submitted bids for Leeds United star and Manchester City target Kalvin Phillips.
According to Football Insider, both Aston Villa and West Ham United have made their bids to sign Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips this summer, who is also a target for Premier League champions Manchester City.
The English international is one of the best central midfielders in the league and has been a consistent performer for club and country when fit. He struggled with injuries last season, and his sustained absence was apparent as Leeds struggled to put a gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
The rest of the English top-flight have now been alerted to Phillips’ abilities and are keen to make a move for him this summer. Aston Villa and West Ham United have ambitions of rising up the ladder and have already made their opening bids for the 26-year-old.
David Moyes already has an excellent central midfield pairing in Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek. However, the former has been subject to interest from elsewhere and is yet to pen a new contract that will keep him at the London Stadium beyond 2024. Although, Rice is likely to stay put at the club, the same cannot be said of Soucek, who has had a falling out due to failed contract talks.
Should Soucek leave, Phillips would be an excellent addition to the Hammers’ side. Good on the ball and not afraid to get his foot in, the Englishman can be the all-action presence that Moyes could do with in the middle of the park.
The same can be said of Villa, who are looking to build upon the promise shown by new manager Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool legend has already brought in several players and could do with a dependable presence in midfield. The prospect of partnering Phillips alongside the physically resolute John McGinn would give Villa an excellent engine to dominate the middle of the park.
The arrival of Boubacar Kamara will give Gerrard further strength in depth in midfield. As a midfielder himself, Gerrard will be aware of the quality he can potentially have at his disposal. Doing so will more or less give Philippe Coutinho the freedom to focus his abilities purely on offence, giving the Villa attack more teeth.
However, both teams face an uphill fight in beating Manchester City to Phillips. Pep Guardiola’s side are very interested in the 26-year-old and have already made an approach for his services as they look to replace Fernandinho. Phillips is also keen on moving to the Etihad, and it would appear to be a case of when rather than if he will join the Premier League champions.
So, despite making bids for his services, Aston Villa and West Ham could end up missing out on Phillips, who seems headed to the home of the Premier League champions this summer.
