Manchester City has made its stance clear on the future of Kalvin Phillips, revealing a surprising turn of events for the talented midfielder.
Despite his limited playing time since his transfer from Leeds United in the summer of 2022, City is now open to letting Phillips go in the upcoming January transfer window.
Phillips, an England international, has faced challenges securing a regular spot in the starting lineup at the Etihad Stadium, with just five starts in his 15-month tenure with the Premier League champions.
Manchester City’s decision to part ways with Phillips comes with a profit motive.
The club is well aware of the substantial interest from various teams looking to secure the services of the former Leeds fan-favorite.
Consequently, they have set a price tag of £50 million for Phillips, marking an £8 million premium compared to the £42 million they paid to acquire him from Yorkshire in the summer of 2022.
When it comes to transfer dealings, Manchester City is known for its tough negotiation stance. They were willing to let Phillips go for less than £40 million when West Ham expressed their interest in him.
The player himself has indicated to Etihad officials that he remains committed to demonstrating his value to Pep Guardiola and contributing to the Treble-winning team. Nevertheless, City’s decision to list Phillips for transfer is indicative of their intention to capitalize on a potential bidding war for his signature.
Phillips, who has made three appearances for the England national team this season, is eager to secure a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the upcoming European Championships. His desire to play regular football at the highest level is a motivating factor behind his willingness to move on from Manchester City.
Newcastle, in need of midfield reinforcements after losing their £55 million signing Sandro Tonali for a significant period due to his acknowledgment of violating gambling laws in Italy, is a contender in the race for Phillips. The Toon is prepared to meet City’s £50 million asking price, demonstrating their determination to bolster their squad.
However, Newcastle faces competition from several other clubs, including Liverpool, Juventus, West Ham, and Aston Villa, in the pursuit of Phillips.
The player, who is approaching his 28th birthday in December, has made a relatively limited number of appearances for Manchester City, with just two starts in the Premier League. This limitation has fueled his desire to explore new opportunities and ensure his participation in the European Championships next summer.
