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Months before the January transfer window even opens, Newcastle United are being linked with players.

Though the midfield struggles that appeared to have defined the opening stages of the season look to have been sorted out somewhat as Newcastle get back on track, it is the area of the pitch the club are most often linked with strengthening.

With that in mind, Kalvin Phillips of Manchester City is consistently linked.

Hailed as “phenomenal” by Toon star Kieran Trippier, the former Leeds man has not convinced at City and has also been linked with a move to Bayern Munich.

Now, some insight into his thoughts have emerged.

How Kalvin Phillips really feels about leaving Manchester City

Indeed, journalist Ben Jacobs suggests Newcastle are the kind of the club Phillips would be open to joining were he to go.

Still, at this stage, he’s unlikely to push for an exit as the player is of the belief his time under Pep Guardiola is still to come.

“Newcastle, potentially West Ham, and potentially Villa, have all got one thing in common, which is they are top half Premier League teams with that potential for Europe,” he told GIVEMESPORT.

“And I think that’s the sort of club, a stable Premier League club in Europe, or with a very good chance of getting Europe, that I’m told, anyway, Phillips is looking for if he’s to leave Manchester City, and it is still an if.

“I think if the right offer comes in for Man City, a bit like Manchester United and Harry Maguire, they’d say thank you very much, but it also depends on the player.

“And in the same way that Maguire never ended up agreeing terms with West Ham, Phillips has always pushed back about any kind of rush exit from Manchester City as well because he still thinks that at some point, his time and his minutes will come.”

Phillips a logical target for Newcastle – but that only goes so far

With Newcastle remaining without a traditional defensive midfielder, moving for a player with Premier League experience would make a lot of sense.

Still, it would be wise to try and ascertain just how much the player actually wants to leave.

Having reportedly rejected the idea of a loan move during the summer, it seems as if he genuinely believes his time will come at the Etihad Stadium.

January is a short month. Newcastle cannot afford to waste their time.