Man City midfielder makes Newcastle United transfer admission

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has been speaking about the transfer options open to him last month.

Newcastle United had identified Phillips as a top target in the winter window but distanced themselves from a deal following Man City's demands of a £7million loan fee for the England international. West Ham United eventually swooped in to complete a loan move for the 28-year-old until the end of the season, paying a loan fee and 100% of the player's wages.

Following the move, Phillips reflected on a conversation he had with England manager Gareth Southgate. "I spoke to him about a few teams," Phillips said. "Juventus were there, I think they were going to leave it until the last minute. I mentioned Newcastle, which could have been a possibility. I knew that West Ham would probably come in a bit later.

“He told me that he wasn’t going to tell me what to do but he said the Premier League is a lot more difficult, a more competitive league. He said to be playing in the Premier League versus playing anywhere else, it’s just that little bit of a step down in quality.

"So yeah, he influenced me to stay in England. And when West Ham came in, I thought it was the right place to go. It was just the size of the club and the manager [David Moyes] influenced me a lot. He told me he’d wanted me for the last few transfer windows. I felt like if I wasn’t going to play at City, I want to go to a club where I’m wanted.

"Not that City didn’t want me but I wanted to go somewhere where the manager was really keen and where he really wanted me. I spoke as well to Declan [Rice, England midfielder and former West Ham captain] and he said it’s a massive family club. That’s what I’m all about. I want to feel like I’m at home wherever I go."