Things get even worse for 28-year-old player who Newcastle snubbed in January, it was the right decision

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Newcastle United look to have dodged a bullet by opting not to sign one of their January targets who has really struggled at his new club.

The Magpies were really keen on adding to their midfield depth this season, at least temporarily, and had identified Man City’s Kalvin Phillips as the ideal player to effectively be a stop gap until the summer.

However, Newcastle were unwilling to pay the £6m loan fee that was being suggested for the midfielder, and so they were forced to look elsewhere while Phillips signed for David Moyes’ West Ham where things haven’t gone to plan so far.

Phillips has really struggled to find form at West Ham

the pressure is building at West Ham where the supporters aren’t overly pleased with the type of football that is being played despite still sitting in seventh in the Premier League and in the Europa League knockout rounds.

Phillips’ arrival was meant to be a big boost their midfield, helping to sure things up at the back and recapture the form that he showed at Leeds which had earned him the move to Man City in the first place.

However, things haven’t started off well for the England international who was sent off in just his fourth game for the Hammers and failing to win in any of those first four games.

Phillips looks to have lost a yard of pace while at Man City and doesn’t look to have the same energy he did at Leeds, though he may need to get used to playing regular first-team football once again.

Newcastle’s midfield is now looking much stronger

At the time when Newcastle had wanted to sign Phillips it looked like they were absolutely desperate for reinforcements or risk their season capitulating in the next few weeks.

Newcastle had just three fit and available midfielders after Joelinton’s injury against Sunderland and the team really did struggle for a while with the trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley.

However, the return of Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson from injury has provided a huge boost for Newcastle as the former Arsenal man made all the difference against Wolves last week.

Now, Newcastle will have just that extra bit of money saved up for the summer window which could prove to be all the difference in signing a top quality player.