Pep Guardiola sanctioned move for £45 million Manchester City midfielder to sign for Fulham on Deadline Day

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips could have signed for Fulham on Deadline Day, however a late transfer failed to materialise.

The 27-year-old, who failed to start Manchester City’s loss to Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon despite the absence of Rodri, has made just five starts since signing from Leeds United in July 2022.

Phillips had been linked with a potential summer exit from the Etihad Stadium after an underwhelming debut campaign, with City Xtra exclusively revealing that over 15 clubs enquired about potentially signing the Englishman.

The midfielder completed an initial £42 million move to the Etihad Stadium, and made 21 appearances during the Blues’ treble-winning campaign.

Liverpool and Bayern Munich were amongst the clubs claimed to be interested in signing Phillips during the summer transfer window, and after failing to impress Pep Guardiola against Newcastle in midweek, question marks will once again arise surrounding the midfielder’s future in east Manchester.

Phillips signed a six-year deal last year, but according to FootballTransfers, Guardiola sanctioned for the 27-year-old to leave the club on Deadline Day last month for another Premier League side.

Steve Kay claims that Fulham attempted to sign the midfielder as a replacement for Joao Palhinha, who’s transfer to Bayern Munich dramatically collapsed, despite the player travelling to Bavaria.

Guardiola gave a ‘green light’ for Phillips to move to Craven Cottage, but the midfielder was ‘adamant’ about remaining at the Etihad Stadium for the new campaign.

FootballTransfers further claim that the 27-year-old could leave Manchester City during the January window, with the Blues already keen to bring in a new defensive midfielder as cover for Rodri.

The Spaniard is currently serving a three-match suspension, but will be available for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against RB Leipzig in Germany.

Manchester City travel to the Emirates next Sunday in the Premier League to face Arsenal, and it remains to be seen how Guardiola will compensate for the absence of the midfielder, who is integral to the Blues’ recent success.