Premier League club identify Manchester City midfielder as replacement for outgoing £50 million star

Everton have taken steps to try and sign Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips as a replacement for Amadou Onana.

The Merseyside club are facing the prospect of losing Belgian midfield star Onana this summer, with Aston Villa poised to complete a £50 million move for the 22-year-old ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, as Everton contend with continued financial problems.

Sean Dyche is expected to take steps to try and replace Onana, with Goodison Park bosses considering a move for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, with the 28-year-old set to depart the Etihad Stadium this summer.

The midfielder, who moved to the London Stadium for a six-month loan with West Ham in January, has made just 31 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side since signing from Leeds United for £42 million.

The 28-year-old wasn’t selected for the European Championship by Gareth Southgate, and returned to the City Football Academy for pre-season training on Monday, despite a planned exit from the Sky Blues this summer.

Phillips featured eight times in the Premier League and twice in the UEFA Europa League for the Hammers, but was forced to return to the Etihad Stadium due to a hamstring injury prior to the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Englishman has made just six starts for the Sky Blues but was rewarded with a Premier League medal in May, despite featuring only 10 times for Manchester City last season.

Phillips could remain in the North West for the upcoming campaign, with Everton having reportedly taken initial steps towards signing the 28-year-old from Manchester City this summer.

Football Insider report that Everton have ‘registered their interest’ in the England midfielder, and are considering bringing Phillips to Goodison Park as a replacement for the outgoing Onana.

Everton are yet to make any formal offer to sign Phillips, although Sean Dyche is claimed to be willing to help ‘revive’ the midfielder’s career, following a difficult period at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite interest from the Toffees, Phillips is currently expected to travel with Manchester City for their four-match tour of the United States later this month, where Guardiola’s side are scheduled to play friendlies against Celtic, AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.