Barcelona and Atletico Madrid emerge as candidates to sign Manchester City star next week

Manchester City are expected to finalise a decision on the future of want-away midfielder Kalvin Phillips next week, amid interest from at least six clubs.

Phillips and his representatives have been weighing up their options in recent weeks in the knowledge that the player requires stronger guarantees over game time if he is to persuade England boss Gareth Southgate to select him for the upcoming European Championships.

Having been restricted to substitute appearances, cup competitions, and a dead-rubber UEFA Champions League tie so far this season, Kalvin Phillips may have come to the realisation that the possibility of breaking into Pep Guardiola’s first-team plans may have now gone.

With a loan deal more likely this month, and a decision to be made on his longer-term future in the upcoming summer transfer window, Manchester City could be reaching decision time on the future of Phillips for the second-half of the season, as per fresh reports.

According to the information of The Telegraph’s Matt Law, the future of Kalvin Phillips is set to be ‘decided next week’ with the Premier League champions currently fielding interest from at least six clubs, including Spanish giants Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

In the Premier League, it has further been revealed that a trio of Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Newcastle United are not out of the race to sign the England international.

From the part of Manchester City, Etihad Stadium bosses are said to be ‘relaxed’ over the situation regarding Kalvin Phillips, with sources denying claims that their financial demands over a loan deal have placed any move in jeopardy.

Furthermore, The Telegraph state that claims that any club must agree to an obligation to buy Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City at the end of the ongoing season have also been dismissed.

Speaking on his Manchester City future towards the back end of October, Kalvin Phillips admitted that he himself knows he needs to be playing games and competing seriously for a starting place every weekend, whilst also stating that a decision needed to be made.

Phillips explained at the time, “I know that I need to be playing games and competing every weekend. I’m going to have to make a decision on (my Manchester City future) over the next months.”

From the side of manager Pep Guardiola, who has consistently opted for other options in his side ahead of Kalvin Phillips, the City boss has admitted on several occasions that he does not know what the immediate future holds for the former Leeds United man.