Kalvin Phillips: Winner of West Ham and Aston Villa race to sign Leeds star tipped after source reveal – pundit
Alan Hutton has suggested Aston Villa could blow West Ham away in the hunt to sign Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips this summer.
The former Villa star, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he cannot see the Hammers “shelling out” as much as the Villans for the 26-year-old.
A West Ham source told Football Insider on Monday (21 March) that the Irons are preparing a summer raid for Phillips this summer.
The Hammers are set to offer over £50million in transfer fees and an enormous wage to lure the midfielder to east London.
Meanwhile, the Times (20 March) claim Aston Villa are readying a £60million bid and a £10million-a-year wage packet for Phillips.
Having seen West Ham not sign anyone in January, compared to Villa’s four new additions, Hutton suggested his old side could blow David Moyes’ men away.
Discussing where Phillips could go this summer, Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I just try and look at the facts and what I’ve seen so far.
“Of course, I think West Ham have done unbelievably well. They are going for top four, although they have slightly fallen away.
“But where were the reinforcements in January? Where was the ‘put your money where your mouth is’ type of mentality?
“They could have gone and got a striker, another centre-half, reinforcements to help them push. It didn’t happen.
“Whereas I think you look at Villa and what they achieved in the window, it shows you where they’re sitting.
“I genuinely don’t think, and I could be wrong, it’s just my opinion, West Ham would be willing to shell out that sort of money for any player.”
In other news, a medical expert reveals why David Moyes has been a ‘nightmare’ to deal with this season at West Ham.