Trevor Sinclair has backed West Ham in any potential pursuit they launch of Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Philips this summer.
The England international was a target for the club over the course of the January transfer window with David Moyes seeing a club-record £50m offer rejected for the 26-year-old.
With Leeds struggling this season and Marcelo Bielsa having been sacked, perhaps there’s a chance the midfielder could become a target again, particularly should West Ham qualify for Europe through either the Premier League or by winning the Europa League.
Indeed, Declan Rice - the man who sits alongside Phillips in Gareth Southgate’s midfield - continues to be tracked by Chelsea and Manchester United even despite the fact West Ham have slapped a £150m valuation on him.
Phillips has also been linked with Aston Villa, whose manager Steven Gerrard admitted he viewed Moyes’ work at West Ham as somewhat of a blueprint as they continue to invest.
Speaking on talkSPORT, however, former England international and West Ham midfielder Sinclair backed a move to east London.
“If he feels the club are making good moves, good recruitment, they’re on the right trajectory, of course [he could stay],” he said.
“But, if he doesn’t feel that, I think he will leave this summer.
“I feel West Ham are a slightly bigger club than Villa at the moment based on the 60,000 supporters they get and the recent performances in the league,” he said.
“I feel West Ham is a slightly bigger proposition than Aston Villa for Kalvin Phillips.
“The only problem I have is that Declan Rice may be leaving.”
