Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips completes move to West Ham as loan deal terms revealed

Kalvin Phillips could return to Manchester City in the summer after no agreement for a permanent deal was struck with West Ham.

The former Leeds star has sealed a loan to East London after a bizarre and forgettable 18 months at the Premier League champions that has seen Pep Guardiola fail to have enough trust in him to play him. Rodri has been used heavily, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes have been signed and Rico Lewis has been promoted from the academy in that time.

Phillips wanted a January move to protect his place in the England squad for the European Championship this summer, with Gareth Southgate believing that he is the second-best defensive midfielder at his disposal after Declan Rice. Unlike at City, Phillips has been essential to the national team.

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West Ham have given Phillips the opportunity to build his confidence and belief back up, having impressed enough in the Premier League at Leeds to earn his move to City in 2022. David Moyes is a long-term admirer and is looking forward to working with the 28-year-old.

Whether the partnership stretches beyond the summer remains uncertain. Despite reports earlier this week claiming there was an option to buy in the loan deal, the Manchester Evening News understands that no such provision exists. When the season ends, Phillips will be a City player again and West Ham will have to negotiate again if they want to sign him permanently.

"Hopefully he can play the minutes he deserves and I couldn’t give to him," Guardiola said at his press conference on Thursday. "It is what it is. I wish him [well]. I said many times, an exceptional human