Confirmed: West Ham deliver knockout blow to Newcastle United and Crystal Palace

West Ham United have beaten competition from Crystal Palace and Newcastle United to complete the signing of wantaway Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips. The Hammers have agreed a short-term loan deal with the Champions with an option to buy the England international come the end of the campaign.

The 28-year-old is flying back with Manchester City from a training camp in Abu Dhabi and will complete a medical at West Ham on Wednesday. Phillips had been expected to leave the club this month in search of greater playing time with Euro 2024 on the horizon later this year.

The talented midfielder has been courted by a number of Premier League clubs, as well as Serie A giants Juventus. For a long time, it appeared that Eddie Howe's Magpies were in pole position to bring the former Leeds United man to Tyneside but earlier this month those links cooled with Crystal Palace emerging as a likely destination. Sean Dyche's Everton were also linked with a move.

It had been reported that Manchester City were demanding a £7 million loan fee for Phillips, which had caused frustrations in negotiations but Sky Sports reports that those conversations have now been finalised. West Ham manager David Moyes has been a long-term fan of the player, who was subject to a £50 million bid from the club before joining the Cityzens in January 2022.

Speaking about Phillips' situation at Manchester City, having played just 89 minutes of Premier League football all season, England boss Gareth Southgate said: “He needs to play and is a really important player for us. We don't have many players who can operate the way he can, we have faith and trust in him, of course people talk about his lack of minutes. We don't have an ideal situation.”

West Ham of course lost their midfield star Declan Rice last summer but did bring in highly-rated Southampton man James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez, who have both impressed at times. However, an injury to Alvarez saw full-back Ben Johnson having to play in that role with a clear sign that reinforcements are needed.