While this weekend represents the return of the Premier League, it’s difficult to ignore the January transfer window.
Clearly, the actual football Newcastle United play until that point will likely determine just how active the club will be in the transfer window. Still, external factors may also play a part.
Indeed, no one is quite sure about the latest situation surrounding Sandro Tonali.
With that in mind, Newcastle are being linked with a large number of midfielders and Kalvin Phillips of Manchester City is consistently touted as a target.
Now, plans to sign him have seemingly been accelerated.
Newcastle transfer news: Dan Ashworth in Kalvin Phillips meeting
That’s because TEAMtalk suggest Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth is already hard at work.
They claim the club are actively seeking cover for Tonali and that Ashworth is leading the charge to sign urgent reinforcement.
Their sources suggest City are eager to shift his £150k-per-week wages and that a deal would be relatively straightforward to pull off if both sides find a solution.
Kalvin Phillips: Why Newcastle transfer makes sense
Phillips is already proven in the Premier League and there is little shame in not breaking into the City side given the almost omnipotent presence of Rodri, arguably the greatest player in the world in his position.
Hailed as “phenomenal” by England teammate Kieran Trippier, the £42m midfielder has not instantly become a bad player.
For him, the chance to move to a Champions League level side without a natural No.6 in the squad makes total sense. With Euro 2024 on the horizon, it looks a very good career move at a crucial time.
For Newcastle, meanwhile, the 27-year-old is a logical target. Even before the Tonali news, there was an acceptance Bruno Guimaraes was playing out of position in a deeper role, so signing a more orthodox option there would perhaps free him to move further forward.
To potentially get an England international in during the notoriously arduous January window would represent logical business.
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