Kalvin Phillips appears to be stepping up his efforts to leave Manchester City in January, as Newcastle United continue to be linked with the midfielder.
He is eager to play regular first-team football in the second half of the season, with his place in the England squad in doubt ahead of Euro 2024.
Pep Guardiola has already admitted that he is not going to get the football he craves at Manchester City, opening the door for him to leave the Premier League champions in January.
Newcastle are one of the clubs interested in rescuing him, as Eddie Howe looks to fill the void left by Sandro Tonali, who is banned for the rest of the season.
Phillips has also been linked with a move to Juventus, while the Guardian’s Ed Aarons has suggested that the former Leeds man is also attracting interest from other clubs in the Premier League.
However, the journalist still believes that the Magpies are the most likely to secure his signature next month.
Newcastle favourites to secure Kalvin Phillips loan
The Guardian’s Ed Aarons has taken to X (formerly known as Twitter) to provide an update on Phillips’ future at Manchester City. He believes that the player’s representatives are now trying to find him a new club, with Newcastle currently the favourites to land him on loan.
He wrote: “Understand that representatives of Kalvin Phillips have held talks with Manchester City about finding the England midfielder a new club in January. Newcastle favourites at the moment but there’s also interest from Juventus and other Premier League sides. Most likely to be a loan.”
Newcastle in pole position ahead of January
It is interesting to see Aarons note that a loan exit is the most likely scenario. This comes after it was reported that Manchester City would prefer to sell Phillips.
But just getting him out of the club seems to be the priority, which could lead to a temporary departure. That will suit Newcastle, as they would prefer to loan him rather than buy him outright in January.
Even though Juve are keen, Aarons believes that Newcastle remain the frontrunners. That is encouraging, and it will be interesting to hear whether or not the Magpies are wanting to include an option to buy.
That will depend on how highly Newcastle rate Phillips. If Howe believes that the England international can still play a role in the side when Tonali returns then it would make sense to include an option to buy.
Phillips’ decision will come down to which club can offer him the most minutes. He needs to play regularly between now and the end of the season. If Newcastle can promise him that, it could only be a matter of time before we see him in a black and white shirt at St James’ Park.
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