Five clubs named in transfer race to sign Manchester City star this month

Manchester City are at the centre of a five-club transfer battle with one first-team name a man in demand this month over a possible Etihad Stadium exit.

That battle concerns Kalvin Phillips, who has seemingly fallen to the bottom of Pep Guardiola’s midfield pecking order this season, having failed to integrate himself into his tactical system following a move from Leeds United.

Despite defensive midfield mainstay Rodri having established himself as an undroppable asset in Guardiola’s team, there have been several occasions when City have needed stand-ins due to suspensions for the Spanish midfielder.

However, on such occasions, Guardiola has turned to the likes of Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Rico Lewis, and Mateo Kovacic, whilst Phillips has seen his opportunities restricted to Carabao Cup clashes, substitute appearances, and dead-rubber UEFA Champions League ties.

With a European Championship campaign in Germany on the horizon with Gareth Southgate’s England squad, Phillips is in desperate need of playing time in the coming weeks and months, and as such a move away from the Etihad Stadium may be his best route.

According to Sky Sports News, a Premier League quartet of Crystal Palace, Everton, Newcastle, and West Ham are joined by Italian giants Juventus in being interested in Manchester City’s out-of-favour Kalvin Phillips this month.

While the England international is on the market this month, the report states that Manchester City would prefer to sell, despite a loan move for the remainder of the ongoing campaign not yet ruled out.

With regards to a potential loan fee, Sky Sports claim that Manchester City would request around £5 million for a temporary agreement for Phillips, as well as most, if not all, of the Englishman’s £135,000-per-week wages.

While several of the aforementioned clubs have made initial approaches to Manchester City to register their interest in Phillips, nothing formal has yet been submitted to the reigning Premier League champions, according to Sky.

Elsewhere and Manchester City have been linked with a whole host of midfield signings this month, albeit concerning their wider City Football Group and club’s star-studded Academy system.

Claudio Echeverri from River Plate has reached an agreement with last season’s Treble winners, but will remain on loan in Argentina until the winter of 2024 and the 2025 January transfer window.

Alex Alcala has also completed a move to Manchester City and the City Football Group, after they installed a buy-option on the player three years ago, with that now being activated and the 18-year-old finalising terms this week.