Kalvin Phillips gives green light to European move as Manchester City struggles continue

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has reportedly given the green light to a move to Serie A giants Juventus, according to information on Thursday.

The 28-year-old midfielder is currently at a crossroads in his Manchester City career, targeting improved game-time at club level over the course of the coming months with the 2024 European Championships looming next summer.

At the Etihad Stadium, Phillips has seemingly fallen to the very bottom of Pep Guardiola’s midfield pecking order, sitting behind the likes of Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, Rico Lewis, John Stones, and Matheus Nunes for the defensive midfield role when required.

With the January transfer window fast approaching, Kalvin Phillips and his representatives may feel it is an opportune moment for them to take up an offer from one of his many potential suitors from across Europe and within the Premier League.

Now, according to developments emerging from the continent, it is understood that the former Leeds United man may look to reignite his top-level professional career in Italy, having reportedly saying ‘yes’ to a new offer.

According to the information of Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Serie A giants Juventus have now received a ‘double yes’ from both Manchester City and Kalvin Phillips himself over a loan deal to Italy.

It is revealed that developments all happened this week, as Juventus officials Cristiano Giuntoli and Giovanni Manna were in London for ‘various business’, including a chat with the management of the England international midfielder, CAA Stellar.

As for Kalvin Phillips himself, the report claims that the Manchester City man is ‘willing to leave England as early as January’, even if it were ‘just for a six month loan’.

But how did this week’s developments leave Juventus officials feeling, and what does it all mean for a potential move for Kalvin Phillips to the Italian top-flight in the coming weeks and months ahead?

Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Juventus directors returned to Turin ‘with a good dose of optimism’, even if further ‘evaluations’ will be needed between now and January before making an official move to Manchester City.

For now, Kalvin Phillips is unlikely to make any starts for Manchester City until at least the final gameweek of the UEFA Champions League group stage, or the FA Cup third round in January – by which point a loan deal may have already been agreed.

Rodri continues to hold down the defensive midfield position at Manchester City, and Pep Guardiola is likely to utilise the Spain international in every game for the foreseeable future, including the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Manchester City travel to Chelsea this weekend for their final Premier League encounter before the latest instalment of mid-season international football, hoping to secure their place at the top of the table for another weekend.