Kalvin Phillips set to be offered Man City escape route as Premier League club ‘consider’ deal

Manchester City star Kalvin Phillips may have an escape route amid his struggles to establish himself as a first-team regular at the Etihad Stadium. The England international has rarely featured following his big-money move from Leeds United in the summer before last.

Pep Guardiola has already admitted to failing to get the best out of the midfielder, claiming Marcelo Bielsa’s system suited him much better. Meanwhile, Phillips has said he has a decision to make ahead of the January transfer window, with Gareth Southgate warning that he will pick his Euro 2024 squad based on players who are playing regularly at their clubs.

Phillips said: “I know that I need to be playing games and competing every weekend. I’m going to have to make a decision on [my future] over the next months. Gareth just says that for me to keep my spot I have to be playing games. That’s what I want to do. I have agreed with Gareth on that.”

Phillips has struggled with City, failing to adapt to Guardiola’s system, and even in Rodri’s absence, Guardiola has turned elsewhere to plug midfield gaps. It now looks as though the midfielder will head elsewhere in January, be it on loan or otherwise, and there is already interest according to reports.

The I have claimed that Newcastle United are interested in signing Phillips on loan due to a fresh problem they have within their squad. The Magpies signed £60million star Sandro Tonali during the summer, but just months later, the holding midfielder looks as though he will be handed a lengthy ban due to alleged gambling violations.

Reports claim he could be suspended for 10 months, ending his season before it has reached the halfway stage, and Phillips is reportedly seen as an alternative, especially if City make him available on loan. Though, it may come down to whether Newcastle are willing to pay all of his £160,000-per-week wage, given City won’t want to help out a top four rival when it comes to wages.