"Said to fancy...": Ex drop teasing West Ham transfer claim, supporters surely buzzing - opinion

West Ham United are keen on signing Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips this summer.

That’s according to Irons insider ExWHUEmployee [via This Is Futbol], who claimed that the 26-year-old is one of David Moyes’ midfield targets for the summer transfer window.

Writing on the West Ham Way Patreon page, Ex said: “The manager is also said to fancy Kalvin Phillips of Leeds.”

Despite Leeds’ Premier League survival, Phillips is subject to plenty of interest from other top-flight clubs, with both Manchester City and Aston Villa also named as potential suitors for the England midfielder.

Therefore, securing a move for the 26-year-old could prove a tall order for Moyes and the West Ham hierarchy.

Despite an injury-plagued season, there is no doubt that Phillips would be an excellent addition for the east London outfit.

Named England men’s player of the year for 2021 after his efforts at the European Championship, the midfielder has been restricted to 18 Premier League starts this term, having missed three months with a hamstring injury.

However, that hasn’t hindered his progress as an England international, with the Leeds star – who has been nicknamed the Yorkshire Pirlo – included in Gareth Southgate’s latest squad.

There is plenty of uncertainty regarding the future of Phillips’ England team-mate Declan Rice at West Ham, with the 23-year-old the subject of a plethora of speculation regarding a potential departure from east London this summer.

If Rice were to move on, then the Hammers would undoubtedly need to fork out for a quality replacement, and Phillips would certainly fit the mould.

The Leeds colossus has averaged 62 touches per Premier League match this term, whilst completing 38.9 passes per game at an 82% accuracy.