Newcastle United are going to have to replace Sandro Tonali during the January transfer window, with Kalvin Phillips one of the candidates to take his place.
With Tonali now suspended until August 2024, there is a clear hole in the Newcastle midfield. Eddie Howe’s options are limited, which could lead to a new signing arriving at the start of next year.
A loan signing feels like the most likely outcome for Newcastle, given their financial fair play situation. There has been talk of a controversial move for Ruben Neves, who plays for PIF-owned club Al Hilal.
But Kalvin Phillips is a player closer to home who is also on Newcastle’s radar, after the Magpies failed to tempt him to St James’ Park during the summer.
The 27-year-old was keen to fight for his place at Manchester City, but it is a fight that he is losing. Phillips is majorly struggling for minutes once again, which could result in him leaving the Etihad Stadium very soon.
And now journalist Ben Jacobs has provided an update on the England international’s situation.
Ben Jacobs provides update on Kalvin Phillips leaving Manchester City
Jacobs has spoke to Give Me Sport about Newcastle’s pursuit of Phillips, with the journalist admitting that there is now a strong chance that he leaves Man City during the January transfer window.
“They will want to be careful not to replace Tonali in a way where, in these 10 months, he falls down the pecking order,” he said.
“That is why a loan might be a solution.
“We hear a lot of talk about Kalvin Phillips and Newcastle. There is a strong chance that Kalvin Phillips leaves Manchester City in January. The player started the season fully intent on fighting for his place at Manchester City, but I think that there is a growing acceptance now from all parties that he might leave.
“I’ve said many times before that Newcastle are one of the clubs tracking him. West Ham have looked in the past as well, but they were able to eventually bring in a flurry of midfielders off the back of selling Declan Rice.”
Phillips is keen on Newcastle move
With Phillips now very likely to leave Manchester City, it sounds like Newcastle have the chance to do the deal they have wanted to do for a few years.
He is a long term target at St James’ Park, while he is a player who could join the Magpies and still have a role once Sandro Tonali returns – if Newcastle were able to sign Phillips permanently.
He can operate in that number six role, which would free Bruno Guimaraes to play higher up the pitch. That is why Phillips could be so appealing to Eddie Howe.
On top of that, it has been claimed that he is keen on a move to the North East. That is very encouraging, and will give us a major advantage if we do formalise our interest in January.
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