Pep Guardiola makes Man City admission on Kalvin Phillips ahead of West Ham move

Pep Guardiola doesn't expect to sign a replacement for Kalvin Phillips before the transfer window closes next week despite seeing the midfielder edge closer to a loan move to West Ham United.

Phillips is set to end a nightmare 18-month spell at the Etihad by moving to the London Stadium for the rest of the season and Guardiola praised the £42million man for his behaviour on and off the pitch.

The 28-year-old has started just two Premier League games for City and has struggled to adapt to Guardiola's demands, with the City boss preferring other players to step in for Rodri when the Spaniard was unavailable.

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But Guardiola insists Phillips remains a good player despite his struggles at the Etihad and said had he given him a run of games he would have come good at City.

"If I give him 10-15 games in a row he will play good, I didn’t give him that and I feel so responsible," he said. "But I’m honest, I have at my disposal players and a squad and I have to decide what we are looking for, for different things.

"I am so grateful for his behaviour on and off the pitch and hopefully there he can find minutes and come back and next season see what happens. There’s not one person who doesn’t wish him all the best in his short time in London."

Guardiola confirmed Phillips travelled south for a medical on Wednesday and was now close to completing a move to the Hammers for the remainder of the season.

"Hopefully he can play the minutes he deserves and I couldn’t give to him," said Guardiola. "It is what it is. I wish him [well]. I said many times, an exceptional human being and a football