Fulham could offer West Ham flop huge lifeline with £40m transfer

Fulham could offer West Ham flop and Manchester City star Kalvin Phillips a lifeline this summer as a potential replacement for key midfield man Joao Palhinha.

That's according to a new report from GIVEMESPORT who have named the former Leeds United man as a target for Marco Silva's side. Phillips joined Manchester City for £45 million in 2022 but has so far failed to muscle his way into Pep Guardiola's starting XI.

The midfielder was shipped off to West Ham in January to work under David Moyes in what was touted as a chance at redemption ahead of Euro 2024 but the temporary switch didn't work out. Phillips made just 10 Hammers appearances in a stint that was shrouded by a red card and moment of tension with supporters.

Phillips is now back at the Etihad Stadium, where he has another four years left on a six-year contract. However, he is expected to be offloaded this summer with Fulham now linked.

Manchester City forked out £45 million for his services two years ago but reports suggest the club could accept a fee as low as £25 million to move the player on.

The Cottagers are facing serious transfer interest in the services of Palhinha from Bayern Munich this summer. The German giants almost signed the player last year before a deal fell through but are believed to have multiple bids again this year.

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Fulham could receive over £60 million for Palhinha, who was one of the club's standout players once again last season. A large chunk of that money could go into a new midfielder but there are other areas to strengthen too with Tosin Adarabioyo leaving for Chelsea while Willian and Bobby De Cordova-Reid are yet to sign new deals.

GIVEMESPORT also name Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg as a potential Palhinha replacement. The Danish star did make 36 Premier League appearances under Ange Postecoglou last season but a large proportion of those were cameos from the bench.