West Ham appears poised to secure a significant victory by finalizing the loan signing of Kalvin Phillips, signaling a potential “major coup” for David Moyes, as reported by The Standard.

According to Malik Ouzia’s report on the paper’s website on January 23, Phillips is set to make the move to the Hammers, with the club growing increasingly confident about reaching an agreement with Manchester City in the coming week. This anticipated signing would see West Ham outmaneuver competing clubs such as Newcastle, Barcelona, and Juventus in securing Phillips’s services.

While Manchester City have initially demanded a substantial £7 million for the loan deal until the end of the season, it is suggested that a compromise is likely to be reached, potentially reducing the financial commitment for West Ham at the London Stadium.

The financial aspect seems to have played a pivotal role in West Ham’s emergence as the front-runner for Phillips, particularly given the limitations faced by other interested clubs. Still, if City is indeed willing to negotiate a lower fee to expedite the deal before the deadline, it would further enhance the significance of West Ham’s successful pursuit.

Amidst this prospective signing, it seems that David Moyes’s influence at the club remains substantial, despite reported differences with technical director Tim Steidten. Furthermore, Moyes’s potential contract extension beyond the current season suggests that the manager holds sway in the club’s transfer decisions, even in the midst of internal dynamics.

Given Phillips’s limited playing time at Manchester City over the past 18 months, Moyes will be hopeful that the midfielder can swiftly adapt and contribute to a formidable midfield lineup for the Hammers. However, the reinforcement of the forward positions is recognized as an urgent requirement for West Ham following this significant midfield reinforcement.