David Ornstein’s shock Chelsea update is great news for West Ham transfer plan after claims of new move for Man City star Kalvin Phillips.
The big fire sale at Chelsea is underway and it seems West Ham and Manchester City will benefit.
After amassing a squad of over 30 senior players during their mammoth spending spree under Todd Boehly, Chelsea are making moves to trim that number down.
West Ham captain Declan Rice is expected to be the biggest English transfer of the summer window. And both Chelsea and Man City have been linked with the Hammers skipper.
Chelsea’s turmoil this season saw them finish well outside the European places, ruling them out of the running to sign Rice form West Ham given the midfielder wants Champions League football.
David Ornstein’s shock Chelsea update is great news for West Ham transfer plan after claims of new move for Kalvin Phillips
Manchester City are perhaps the only club in England who can guarantee that season in, season out.
They too have been linked with an interest in Rice.
But there has been a development which suggests he will not end up at either. And it could create a transfer triangle between Chelsea, Man City and West Ham in their search for Rice’s replacement.
According to a new report from The Evening Standard, West Ham are monitoring the situation of Manchester City ace Kalvin Phillips ahead of the summer transfer window.
West Ham tried to sign Phillips from Leeds for £55m back in January 2022 only to see him join Man City last summer.
He has endured a torrid time at the Etihad, though, making just four starts under Pep Guardiola.
Surprise Kovacic move to Man City would clear path for Phillips to Hammers
So David Ornstein’s shock Chelsea update is great news for West Ham transfer plan after claims of new move for Man City star Phillips.
Because Athletic journalist Ornstein claims Chelsea have granted Manchester City permission to speak to Mateo Kovacic ahead of a potential move this summer.
Kovacic, 29, has been one of Chelsea’s best players over the last few seasons.
And Ornstein claims the midfielder, who has one year left on his contract, wants to join Premier League champions Manchester City. And that will clearly mean West Ham target Phillips is demoted even further down the pecking order.
No lack of irony if West Ham sign Phillips as one of Rice’s replacements
“Chelsea have granted Manchester City permission to speak to Mateo Kovacic ahead of a potential move this summer…” Ornstein states.
“Initial dialogue over a deal has been exchanged between the two clubs with Manchester City making Chelsea aware of their interest. A fee is yet to be discussed.”
If Man City do sign Kovacic then Phillips is surely there for the taking as one of Rice’s replacements.
There will be no lack of irony if West Ham do bring in Phillips when they sell Rice.
Because West Ham and Leeds fans spent two seasons debating who was the better player – an argument Rice has settled emphatically on the pitch.
That does not mean to say Phillips wouldn’t be a good signing for West Ham, as long as he can overcome recent injury issues.
Kovacic arriving at Man City will certainly help clear the path for any deal.
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