Manchester City and England star Kalvin Phillips is set to join West Ham United on loanuntil the end of the season, according to reports.
Kalvin Phillips has long been considered one of the best English midfielders and homegrown talents but, unfortunately, simply hasn’t had enough minutes since joining Man City in 2022.
With Pep Guardiola himself confessing that he feels “so sorry” for how the former Leeds linchpin’s time at the Etihad has panned out, both the player and the club are looking to resolve the situation and they might have just found him a new home. At least in the short term.
Although the likes of Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Fulham, PSG and more were all said to be interested in signing Phillips, the latest is that West Ham have agreed a deal to take the defensive midfielder on for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.
🚨 EXCL: West Ham reach agreement with Manchester City to sign Kalvin Phillips on loan until summer. Personal terms no issue + #WHUFC covering full salary. Juventus exploring but no agreement to date. Flying back to UK with #MCFC squad @TheAthleticFC#Juvehttps://t.co/599zMaleSU
Juventus, PSG and Barcelona were all said to be sniffing around a deal as well.
As reported by various outlets, as well as a so-called ex-West Ham employee who claims to have spoken with an insider at the club, the East Londoners were increasingly confident of securing the service of Kalvin Phillips, who would certainly help fill the hole left since Declan Rice joined Arsenal.
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The fan-led site said: “As we understand it, talks have progressed and the player is very keen to join West Ham. The club at this stage appear to have advanced ahead of both Newcastle and Barcelona, who both have financial restraints to fund the move.”
This now seems to be the case as multiple outlets have now reported that a full agreement between the two clubs has been reached
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Ever-reliable transfer source Fabrizio Romano also gave his famous ‘Here we go!’ following the update, not to mention being the first to claim that the deal may in fact include an option to buy in the summer, contrary to prior reports.
🚨⚒️ Kalvin Phillips to West Ham, here we go! Loan deal agreed with Man City and also on player side. One more from Tim Steidten.
Understand it will also include an option to buy clause in June for #WHUFC.
While nothing concrete has been announced as yet, with just 89 Premier League minutes across four games this season and only 31 appearances for the club (most from the bench), the England international will no doubt be glad a deal in place, especially with Euro 2024 looming.
Although the details surrounding an option/obligation are yet to be fully confirmed, there is some feeling that his switch could go on to help serve as somewhat of a makeweight if City go back into the market for the Irons’ Lucas Paquetá — not taking into account their respective charges.
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As always with transfers, these things move fast and local Man City and Man United reporter, Michael Plant, said he is hearing that Phillips’ “medical could even be tonight/tomorrow”, while German sports writer Florian Plettenberg suggests that everything will be finalised on Thursday.
Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall
Daisy Jackson
Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.
The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.
The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.
Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.
26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.
As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.
The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.
But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.
Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.
Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
Danny Jones -
23rd January 2024 
