Fulham identify Manchester City treble-winner as replacement for Joao Palhinha but face Championship competition

On-loan Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has emerged as a potential Fulham transfer target ahead of the summer window.

The 28-year-old is expected to permanently depart the Etihad Stadium at the end of the campaign, with the Englishman spending the second-half of the current season at the London Stadium, on-loan at West Ham United.

Phillips, who moved to Manchester City for £42 million from Leeds United and won the treble during his debut season with the Sky Blues, has made just six starts for Pep Guardiola’s side since signing from Elland Road in July 2022.

The midfielder has made seven Premier League appearances for the Hammers, but hasn’t featured in recent matches against Tottenham, Wolves or Fulham for David Moyes’ side.

West Ham suffered a 0-2 loss to Fulham on Sunday afternoon, and Marco Silva has reportedly earmarked Phillips as a summer transfer target, as the west London club brace for the potential departure of Joao Palhinha.

Fulham, who were amongst the clubs to enquire about signing the England midfielder in January, also made a late attempt to sign the England midfielder last summer, as Bayern Munich attempted to complete a deal for Palhinha.

FootballTransfers claim that Fulham are interested in bringing Phillips to Craven Cottage this summer, but face competition from boyhood club Leeds, who could sign the 28-year-old should they return to the top-flight.

The midfielder is reportedly one of three transfer targets for Marco Silva ahead of the new campaign, with Manchester City expected to sell Phillips this summer, following a disappointing two years at the Etihad Stadium.

Fulham are ‘working on the possibility’ of signing Phillips, with the midfielder also expected to miss out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer’s European Championship.

Phillips, who won the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and Emirates FA Cup last season with Manchester City, made his last appearance for the Sky Blues during the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia in December.