The ‘issue’ West Ham have over buying Kalvin Phillips permanently this summer

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Journalist Jacob Steinberg has shared the ‘issue’ West Ham United could face when it comes to signing Kalvin Phillips permanently over the summer. 

Steinberg took to X on Wednesday morning and shared an update on Kalvin Phillips’ proposed move to east London. 

The midfielder is set to join David Moyes’ side on loan until the end of the season and it was initially reported that West Ham will not have the option to sign Phillips permanently in the summer. 

It has since emerged that the Hammers will be able to snap up the Englishman for £40 million at the end of the season.

But, according to Steinberg, they could face a stumbling block over the player’s wages.

The ‘issue’ West Ham have over buying Phillips

The Guardian journalist shared an update on Phillips’ move to West Ham on X this morning. 

Steinberg confirmed that West Ham do have an option to buy Phillips over the summer but his wages could complicate that becoming a reality.

He wrote: “West Ham’s loan deal for Kalvin Phillips will now contain option to buy. Issue in long run is whether they will be able to afford Man City midfielder on a permanent basis (wages rather than fee the issue).

“Talks progressing over Ibrahim Osman after first bid for winger rejected.”

Phillips currently earns around £150,000-a-week after signing a five-year deal at City back in the summer of 2022.

West Ham’s highest earner is Lucas Paqueta, who earns the same weekly wage as Phillips.

You can understand why Phillips’ wages could cause a problem when it comes to signing him permanently. 

While the Hammers have the means to pay his wages, it could cause a few issues behind the senses if he comes in and instantly becomes their highest earner, alongside Paqueta.

With that being said, if Phillips performs to the level he’s shown he’s capable of at Leeds, he could be well worth that salary to West Ham.