Agbonlahor shares two-word verdict on West Ham signing Kalvin Phillips after source reveal
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed there is “no chance” of Kalvin Phillips leaving Man City for West Ham as they target a Declan Rice successor.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted he is “sure” the 27-year-old will shine at Man City in the near future with Rodri in need of rotation.
Sources told this site on Sunday (1 January) that West Ham have reignited their interest in Man City star Phillips after they were linked with a £50million-plus bid last year.
It is understood that Phillips is highly rated by manager David Moyes and seen as capable of replacing Rice – who is widely expected to leave during the summer window.
Man City paid a reported fee of £45million for the England midfielder last summer (2022) but he has played only 53 minutes of club football since.
Citizens boss Pep Guardiola surprisingly went public to condemn Phillips for being “overweight” and in poor condition when he returned after the World Cup.
When asked if Phillips is a realistic target for lowly West Ham, Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “No, no, no chance.
“Man City have got Rodri, but if he gets injured then they’ve got no other options.
“Kalvin Phillips is going nowhere. He will get his game time, I’m sure of it.
“He’ll start to be rotated with Rodri, who has played a lot of football and was at the World Cup.
“I think he’ll start to get more rest and you’ll see a lot more of Phillips.
“I can’t see him jumping ship to West Ham already.”
In other news, pundit cites Mauricio Pochettino as West Ham edge closer to sacking David Moyes.