Kalvin Phillips: Pundit digs at West Ham fans after Simon Jordan’s Leeds United bid claim
Kevin Campbell has defended David Sullivan and David Gold after late-window bids from West Ham for Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Arsenal and Everton striker rejected the suggestion that moves for the Leeds duo were merely “smoke and mirrors.”
As reported by the Guardian‘s Jacob Steinberg (29 January), Leeds rejected bids from the Hammers for Phillips, 26, and Raphinha, 25.
The bid for Phillips was said to be worth £50million.
According to The Athletic‘s Phil Hay (30 January), Marcelo Bielsa’s side were not open to offers for either player in the window.
Speaking on talkSPORT (1 February), ex-Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan claimed the West Ham board never had any intention of signing the duo.
When asked by Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs if the bids were part of a “we tried” agenda, Campbell said: “I disagree with that.
“Fan bases always want it their way.
“West Ham are going for other team’s best players. Phillips and Raphinha are top players.
“West Ham’s owners are just testing the water to see whether Leeds want to do the business or not. Of course, Leeds don’t want to do that business at the moment.
“I know the deals for those two and [Jesse] Lingard did not come off but that’s because Leeds and Man United didn’t want to sell.
“I know it’s frustrating. Fans might think it was smoke and mirrors but West Ham can only ask the question. That is all they can do.”
In other news, it can be revealed West Ham agreed a £5.5million striker fee before deal collapsed.