The real reason why Kalvin Phillips now wants a transfer after Newcastle show interest

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If Newcastle United want to sign Kalvin Phillips in the January transfer window, they will need to offer him one thing.

The 27-year-old looks set for a move away from Manchester City at the start of the year, despite beginning the 2023/24 season with the desire to stay at the Etihad and fight for his place.

Phillips has now realised that he is not going to win that fight, and a departure in January appears to be very likely.

That could be good news for Newcastle, who are in the market for a midfielder after losing Sandro Tonali to suspension until August 2024.

Phillips was on the Magpies’ radar in the summer, and he is a target for Eddie Howe once again midway through the campaign.

It has been claimed that Phillips would be open to a move to St James’ Park, but there are no guarantees that a deal will be done. Newcastle are keen to bring him in on loan given their financial fair play situation.

But whoever does sign the £42million player must be able to offer him one thing between now and the end of the season.

Kalvin Phillips would want regular first-team football at Newcastle

According to ESPN, Phillips wants to go to a club where he will play regularly ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany next summer.

Phillips is still a regular in the England squad, but that might not be the case if he continues spending his days on the Man City bench – or any bench for that matter.

So the only way that he is going to sign for Newcastle is if Howe can guarantee him regular minutes in a black and white shirt.

The thing is, will he be able to do that? While Newcastle do have injury problems, Howe is blessed with a lot of talented midfielders when everybody is available.

It is hard to envision whose place Phillips would take in the Newcastle midfield. Bruno Guimaraes is a guaranteed starter, while Sean Longstaff makes us tick. Howe absolutely loves having Joelinton in the middle, while Joe Willock has just returned from injury – and everyone is saying just how pivotal he is to this Toon team.

With that in mind, there are no guarantees that Newcastle could offer Kalvin Phillips regular first-team football ahead of Euro 2024.