EXIT PHILLIPS Hammers come in for misfit simply not trusted by Pep

IT feels like an unfortunate reflection of Kalvin Phillips and his short time at City that a player who decided he needed to move in January looks like he won't end up kicking a competitive ball this month.

-  SIMON BAJKOWSKI

Despite considerable interest from a range of clubs stretching to before the winter transfer window opened, Phillips flew back from Abu Dhabi on Tuesday with Pep Guardiola and the rest of his City teammates with a deal yet to be agreed.

However, West Ham have now agreed a deal for Phillips - although their next game isn't until February 1.

City have driven a hard price for Phillips because they do not want to give away a respected England international on the cheap, yet it says it all about his bizarre nightmare of a spell at the Etihad that there won't be a need to replace him.

Unlike the gasps this time last year when Joao Cancelo was packed off to Bayern on loan, Phillips will be allowed to leave with barely a murmur.