West Ham will probably be in the mix to sign Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips this summer, says journalist Dean Jones.

The Hammers failed to bring the 26-year-old to the London Stadium back in January after seeing a £50m bid knocked back, but it does not look like they have given up.

What is the latest news involving Phillips?

West Ham are not the only side in claret and blue who seem to be admirers of Phillips, with The Times reporting that Aston Villa also want to sign the Englishman.

According to the same report, they are ready to go higher than their Premier League rivals' January bid and offer £60m to Leeds.

Phillips has not been a regular this season due to injury, starting just 12 league games, but he still clearly has his fans after a fantastic Euros and 2020/21 campaign.

Last term, he averaged 48.4 passes per game in the English top flight, the fourth-highest average in Leeds' squad (via WhoScored), showing his ability to keep things ticking in midfield.

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What has Jones said about Phillips to West Ham?

While The Times claims that Villa are leading the race for Phillips, Jones says you cannot rule out West Ham coming back in for the England international this summer.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the transfer insider said: "A lot of teams are interested in Kalvin Phillips. We've already seen West Ham make an offer in January, and I think they would probably try and be in the mix again."

Why do West Ham want Phillips?

As already mentioned, Phillips is a player who can get on the ball and play. He is also very capable of regaining possession, with the in-demand star boasting some of the best defensive statistics in his squad last season.

When it came to tackles made per game in the Premier League, only Liam Cooper (2.7) and Luke Ayling (2.8) managed more than his 2.6. He was also in the top four for interceptions made (1.6), so there is no doubt that West Ham would be getting a ball winner as well as a passer.

In Declan Rice, Phillips would also have a ready-made partner, with the two linking up in midfield last summer to help take England to the Euro 2020 final.

It is no wonder David Moyes wants to bring the Leeds academy graduate to the London Stadium. Whether he will be able to, though, with other clubs like Villa interested, is another matter.