Manchester City presented Liverpool opportunity to sign £45 million first-team star last summer

Premier League rivals Liverpool had the chance to secure the signing of Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips during the last summer transfer window.

The England international has suffered a difficult year and a half since making the move to the reigning Premier League champions from Leeds United in 2022 for a transfer fee understood to be worth an initial £42 million rising to £45 million through add-ons.

With most of Phillips’ appearances restricted to features from the substitutes bench and domestic cup competitions alongside dead-rubber European fixtures, there is a realisation that a move away from the Etihad Stadium may be best for his future.

While a move elsewhere in the Premier League is looking likely during the days that remain during the ongoing market, a new report has revealed that Phillips could have gotten his move prior to the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

According to the information of MailSport’s Simon Jones, Manchester City were willing to loan Kalvin Phillips out during the previous summer transfer window amid interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool among other clubs.

It is reported that Manchester City’s demands over a loan fee for Phillips were believed to be around £10 million, while the fee is now understood to be around half that amount during the current market.

West Ham United appear to be leading the race to sign Kalvin Phillips on a temporary agreement this month, with the Hammers in ongoing talks with Etihad Stadium officials over the finances of a loan move.

David Moyes’ side appear to have beaten away competition from the likes of Newcastle United, Juventus, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, while the London Stadium manager has been a long-term admirer of Kalvin Phillips’ talents.

The 28-year-old defensive midfielder will be desperate for consistent game time across the course of the coming weeks, with Gareth Southgate hoping to see his former Player of the Year in match action to defend a decision to bring him to the European Championships this summer.