Fabrizio Romano has revealed that he believes Newcastle Unite target Kalvin Phillips is more likely to leave his club in January than Ruben Neves.
The two midfielders have been heavily linked to Newcastle in the last month as Eddie Howe looks to replace the suspended Sandro Tonali.
On The Here We Go Podcast, Romano suggested that Phillips is far more likely to move than Neves who Newcastle haven’t even made contact with.
Phillips looks to be the priority
Phillips is set to be Newcastle’s number one target over Neves heading into the January window with reinforcements in the midfield certainly needed due to the growing list of injuries.
The former Leeds man is hoping to get his career back on track after what can only be described as a hugely disappointing £45m move to Manchester City last summer – although he did get four winners medals out of it.
Phillips is now also expected to leave by his own club for more first-team minutes after just one start in the Carabao Cup this season, leaving him fighting for his future with England.
On his podcast, Romano said: “These are two different situations. For Ruben Neves, we had many rumours about Newcastle because of this opportunity to loan players from PIF clubs.
“But at the moment there is still no contact, so Newcastle are not speaking to Neves’ representatives.
I think Kalvin Phillips has way more chance to leave in the January window. I expect him to leave.
“The player wants to play, to be on the pitch and at the Euros next summer, so Man City expect him to leave in January.”
Phillips is typically a more Eddie Howe-type player than Neves and it will be his work ethic and his desire to play more regular football that will have attracted the Newcastle boss to the 27-year-old.
Newcastle not targeting Neves
After all the issues with the vote to ban related-party deals in January, Newcastle may not even be targeting Neves at all now as they step up their pursuit of Phillips.
Romano claims that the Magpies are yet to make contact with the former Wolves midfielder and his representatives, so it looks less and less likely that a deal will be made in the upcoming window.
Newcastle obviously admire the Portuguese international and will still be keeping his name under consideration for January, but all rumours suggest that the 26-year-old is happy in Saudi Arabia and unlikely to move so soon after joining.
Neves is a talented player and one that Newcastle should continue scouting, but Phillips just feels like he his destined to come to St James’ Park and help the team push for consecutive European finishes.
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