Kalvin Phillips '100% leaving' Man City says Fabrizio Romano

Stuart Telford

• 16 Dec 2023 19:52 GMT
• 3 min read

Kalvin Phillips is set to leave Manchester City in the winter window according to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano.

Phillips has cut a frustrated figure since joining City from Leeds in a £45 million deal in July 2022, starting just 16 Premier League appearances since, only two of which have been starts.

This season he hasn't been named in a single starting line-up in the English top-flight, but Pep Guardiola recently hinted that he could use the England midfielder more in the future.

"I don't know what's going to happen," he said. "Now he's here and there are a lot of games until the end of January and hopefully he can help us."

Rodri has been immovable at the base of Guardiola's midfield, but the Catalan tactician has variously tried John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis as his partner in a double pivot.

Phillips wants first-team football in order to guarantee his place in Gareth Southgate's England squad at Euro 2024 in Germany next summer, and the 28-year-old is unequivocally bound for the Etihad exit according to Romano.

"Kalvin Phillips will leave Man City in January despite Pep's words," he tweeted. "… he's 100% leaving."

Where will Phillips end up?

A number of clubs have been linked with Phillips, from Manchester United and Liverpool to Newcastle and Juventus, but a Premier League stay would perhaps be the most likely.

That's in no small part down to the fact that City reportedly want to make a profit on the player despite his limited playing time, with £50m understood to be enough to sign him from the English and European champions.

The Phillips that has won 31 caps with England would surely boost any of the aforementioned, although Newcastle's need could be greater owing to Sandro Tonali's 10-month ban for illegal betting whilst the player was still at AC Milan.