Arsenal, under the management of Mikel Arteta, is reportedly eyeing Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips as a potential addition to bolster their defensive midfield in the January transfer window.
The interest stems from Arteta’s concern about the injury-prone Thomas Partey, prompting a quest for additional midfield reinforcement to fortify Arsenal’s pursuit of both the Premier League title and a strong showing in the UEFA Champions League.
TEAMtalk suggests that Arteta personally desires the services of Phillips, a former Leeds United standout, at the Emirates Stadium.
The report indicates that, as of now, there has been no notable progress in the pursuit of a potential deal.
The rationale behind Arteta’s interest in the £42 million-rated (Sky Sports) midfielder lies in the injury challenges faced by Thomas Partey. With Partey’s recurring fitness issues, Arsenal aims to secure another defensive midfielder mid-season to enhance their squad depth and competitiveness.
Interestingly, Arsenal has explored alternatives such as Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa and Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad. Nevertheless, according to TEAMtalk, the Gunners perceive these options as financially prohibitive for a January transfer.
The report highlights that City’s interest in reacquiring Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz, a player they previously sold due to work permit complications, adds an intriguing layer to the transfer dynamics.
On the other side of the coin, the report emphasizes the critical viewpoint that Manchester City should resist selling Kalvin Phillips to Arsenal. Despite Phillips’ limited impact at the Etihad Stadium, the suggestion is that City, being serious contenders themselves, should exercise common sense and avoid strengthening a direct rival like Arsenal.
While Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, has previously expressed a willingness to let players move to direct rivals, the report argues that this situation requires a more cautious approach.
The belief is that City, considering Arsenal’s status as Premier League contenders, should explore other options for Phillips, potentially looking towards Juventus, who are rumored to be interested in the England international.
