Manchester City midfielder could leave in January following interest from Newcastle and Everton

Newcastle United and Everton showed interest in signing Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips during the most recent summer transfer window, it has been reported.

The England international midfielder is continuing to battle for improved game time under Pep Guardiola, having falling further down the pecking order this season following the summer’s recruitment at the Premier League champions.

Phillips currently sits behind Rodrigo in the defensive midfield rankings at the Etihad, while Juanma Lillo opted to utilise Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva in the deeper-lying role during the closing stages of the recent 5-1 win over Fulham.

From the side of the player, the former Leeds United hero remains confident that he will eventually come good at the Etihad, and requires more time to adjust to the ways of working instilled by Pep Guardiola.

However, according to the information of I Sport’s Mark Douglas, Kalvin Phillips’ Manchester City future is ‘increasingly uncertain’ following a summer transfer window that featured interest in his services from both Everton and Newcastle United.

Despite interest from elsewhere in the Premier League, it is highlighted that there was a ‘determination’ on the part of Phillips himself to prove he is capable of fitting into the Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City system, alongside a ‘seeming reluctance’ on the part of the Premier League champions to write off such a big investment.

However, while Kalvin Phillips was selected by Gareth Southgate for the September international break, Douglas’ report states that should there be no ‘meaningful’ game time for Phillips at the Etihad Stadium, then the player is likely to push for a loan in January ahead of the 2024 European Championships.

Manchester City recruited further in midfield during the summer transfer window, signing Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Nunes in light of Ilkay Gundogan’s exit to FC Barcelona and Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term injury.

However, Phillips may be buoyed by exits during the closing stages of the summer market which could allow him for greater opportunities. Cole Palmer for example completed a £42.5 million Manchester City exit for Chelsea.

Elsewhere, James McAtee – who was originally expected to stay at Manchester City following a season-long loan at Sheffield United in the Championship – returned to Bramall Lane on another temporary agreement in search of more guaranteed Premier League action.