Premier League giants consider move for Manchester City midfielder in £35 million deal

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips is reportedly being considered by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as a potential midfield signing ahead of the summer window.

Phillips joined City only last summer for a fee which could rise to £50 million as one of six new signings. At the time, the midfielder was deemed one of the best English midfielders in the country, which saw him crowned England’s Men’s Player of the Year for 2020/21.

However, his time at the Etihad Stadium has not gone to plan.

A shoulder injury sustained in September 2022 saw the Englishman miss out on 11 matches, meaning that the 27 year-old has been afforded very limited game time – as showcased by just the 405 minutes of action he has been involved in.

Despite Pep Guardiola’s comments assuring Kalvin Phillips that he still has a role to play in the squad, reports have emerged that there is now interest in the former Leeds United player from elsewhere in the Premier League.

Jeremy Cross reports that Premier League rivals Liverpool are targeting the midfielder in an effort to overhaul the engine room of their side.

The potential deal is reported to be worth £35 million, which could be down as much as £15 million on the fee Pep Guardiola’s side could ultimately pay Leeds United in order to obtain the services of the player.

Liverpool have massively struggled due to a lack of legs in midfield this season. With a previous lack of investment in that area, and the ageing nature of their squad, Klopp is set to oversee a rebuild in the midfield department.

As such, the largely out of favour Kalvin Phillips is seen by Merseyside officials as someone who can spearhead that rebuild.

The news comes after Liverpool were reportedly priced out of a move for fellow England international Jude Bellingham, as the Borussia Dortmund star continues to be heavily linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium in the coming months.

Manchester City have been open in their stance that Kalvin Phillips is not for sale, however that stance could change should an offer present itself that satisfies the demands of the powers at be.