Fabrizio Romano explains how West Ham United beat Newcastle United, Juventus and others to Kalvin Phillips

West Ham United are close to wrapping up a deal to sign Kalvin Phillips on loan with Manchester City. The Hammers sense a big opportunity this season having stolen an early march in the race to land another European qualification, while they also remain in with a chance of winning the Europa League having progressed to the knockout stages.

David Moyes has been keen to improve his squad this month, though, and a defensive midfielder was placed at the top of the list. Kalvin Phillips was quickly identified as a top target, with the England international searching for more regular first-team football after failing to cut it at Manchester City.

The Hammers struck a loan deal with the option to buy earlier this week and are expected to finalise the deal in the coming hours, beating the likes of Newcastle United and clubs from abroad to Phillips' signature. On the back of all that, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has been speaking about how West Ham won the race, telling CaughtOffside: "A deal is finally done for Kalvin Phillips to join West Ham – a big ‘here we go’.

"He was previously on Juventus’ list before they left the conversations because it was too expensive and Massimiliano Allegri preferred a different kind of midfielder. West Ham are now closing the deal, despite links with Barcelona – it was never a priority for them, and West Ham have now done incredible work to beat the competition to this deal. Phillips joins on loan with a buy option, not mandatory. It’s done, he’ll travel to West Ham for medical tests today.

“Phillips was always a top target for West Ham, since day one. They’ve been silent as there was huge competition but Tim Steidten was crucial to make the deal happen and it’s been agreed. Crystal Palace were interested, as Roy Hodgson admitted publicly, but in the end West Ham made a better proposal.”