Manchester City ‘intensify interest’ in potential Kalvin Phillips January replacement

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have intensified their interest in Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich, as they seek to source a replacement for Kalvin Phillips.

Manchester City are expected to allow Kalvin Phillips to depart the club during the upcoming January transfer window, with the Englishman subject to interest from Juventus, Tottenham and Newcastle United.

The 28-year-old has made just two starts for Manchester City so far this season, and is considering an Etihad Stadium exit in an attempt to cement his place at next summer’s European Championship in Germany.

Pep Guardiola could therefore look to bolster his midfield options during the January transfer window, despite recently playing down the prospect of Manchester City completing any significant business next month.

Ahead of a potential exit for Phillips, the Sky Blues are claimed to have ‘intensified interest’ in Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who played under Guardiola during the Catalan’s managerial spell at the Allianz Arena.

The German international has made just 11 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern Munich during the current campaign, and the idea of the Bavarian club selling the 28-year-old is ‘no longer an absolute taboo topic’, according to a BILD report relayed by Sport Witness.

The 28-year-old is out of contract at the Allianz Arena in 2025, reportedly increasing Manchester City’s chances of being able to complete a deal for the out of favour midfielder, as Bayern Munich pursue a sizeable fee.

It is further reported that there is yet to be any contact between Manchester City and Kimmich’s representatives, but that the door is open for the German international to depart the Bundesliga heavyweights.

Kimmich, who has been at Bayern Munich since 2015, has won the UEFA Champions League and eight Bundesliga’s titles during his time at the club.

The midfielder also has 82 caps for Germany and is set to feature at his home Euro’s in 2024, with the tournament starting on Friday 14th June.