Journalist Miguel Delaney has revealed that Leeds United midfielder and Liverpool target Kalvin Phillips is "expected" to join Manchester City.
The Reds have been linked with Phillips as they look to strengthen their midfield this summer. Jurgen Klopp's side were previously targeting AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. However, Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed yesterday (June 9) that Tchouameni is set to sign for Real Madrid.
Phillips, who is currently with Gareth Southgate's England squad, has also been linked with Manchester City this summer. Spanish publication Marca reported last month that City were looking to sign the 26-year-old to bolster their midfield with Fernandinho departing the club.
The Independent journalist Delaney has now provided an update on the situation, stating that Manchester City are closer to signing Phillips than Liverpool. He added that the Cityzens are willing to let go of numerous players, which could open up a spot in their squad for the midfielder.
Delaney wrote in the "Reading the Game" newsletter (via HITC):
“City have again made a number of recent league winners available for transfer, just as they did last summer. They include Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva, the Portuguese now the subject of interest from Barcelona. Kalvin Phillips is now widely expected to join Pep Guardiola’s side.”
It's worth noting that City have already made two signings this summer. They have brought in Julian Alvarez from River Plate and Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
Liverpool also seem to be ready to let go of a few players. According to the BBC, Takumi Minamino is set to exit the club this summer. Sadio Mane has also been tipped to make a move away from Anfield. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been linked with a surprise transfer to Manchester United as well (via The Sun).
They have signed Fabio Carvalho from Fulham and are working on a deal to sign SL Benfica forward Darwin Nunez.
Liverpool and Manchester City target Kalvin Phillips has impressed during his spell at Leeds United
Phillips was a Leeds United academy graduate and made the transition from their U21 side to the first-team back in 2015. He came into the limelight during Marcelo Bielsa's reign at Elland Road as the club looked to get back into the Premier League.
The Englishman made 131 appearances across all competitions under Bielsa and helped Leeds make it into the English top-flight. Phillips also played a key role as the Peacocks finished ninth in the 2020-21 Premier League season.
However, injuries plagued the Liverpool and Manchester City target in the 2021-22 campaign, limiting him to just 23 appearances across competitions.
Phillips has also won 15 caps for England and was vital during their run to the final of UEFA Euro 2020 last summer.
Miceikopru
0
Phillip and Bellingham are just overrated english players. He is worth 30m, Bellingham 25m and Rice at most 40m
Miceikopru
0
Kelvin Phillips will only make the liverpool bench if he join. he won't be a 1st team player.
better than Rodri in which football world 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣..... what statistics are you looking at?
mancsupporter
0
Bellingham isn't a City type, he'd struggle to make it at City. He isn't technically good enough
So its better to let Liverpool have him so it can bite us in the @ss? You must be Liverpool fan in disguise
Nizwest
0
Overrated English player, good but not as good as the media paints him not worth more than £40m
bayabksuz
0
If he comes i will be so mad i will smash something, why we buy overrated 26 year old? He will be shite, i rather spend 400mill on Bellingham instead of 60 mill on this guy
Bellingham isn't a City type, he'd struggle to make it at City. He isn't technically good enough
bayabksuz
0
This guy is not as good as the English media labels him, he can't play first 11 at Liverpool, City,Mayb even at Chelsea he can't. He should go to those small teams like Arsenal and Man utd
Big lie, he fits in this City team. His mentality of the game is way ahead of Rodri
tuybcmuz
0
Hi Klopp how about ISCO or ERIKSON for your Team MF
Boaakprsz
3
This guy is not as good as the English media labels him, he can't play first 11 at Liverpool, City,Mayb even at Chelsea he can't. He should go to those small teams like Arsenal and Man utd
Naycdknr
3
Kelvin Phillips will only make the liverpool bench if he join. he won't be a 1st team player.
francis_0426
2
Is this will be good signing for city ....I doubt it 💯
ManCityFanForever
2
Philip is nothing more than £40m
ManCityFanForever
0
If he comes i will be so mad i will smash something, why we buy overrated 26 year old? He will be shite, i rather spend 400mill on Bellingham instead of 60 mill on this guy
Calm down bro
yeddlmtu
0
If he comes i will be so mad i will smash something, why we buy overrated 26 year old? He will be shite, i rather spend 400mill on Bellingham instead of 60 mill on this guy
You smoking how can you say he’s overrated when you want bellingham that is thrice the price of phillips? To me is saying belling is the one overrated here
mancsupporter
6
If he comes i will be so mad i will smash something, why we buy overrated 26 year old? He will be shite, i rather spend 400mill on Bellingham instead of 60 mill on this guy
mancsupporter
2
Please no
Chideraogbonna
3
city is better
Sosst
1
I wouldnt even pay any mind to phillips,So many other players out there worth looking at so why him? Ive seen barely anything impressive about kal🤷🏽♂️
pitdkmrstz
4
I prefer Ruben Neves
lawalidris
2
City and Liverpool are making hey while sun shining, but our neighbour are no where to be found in the market.
HassanBEYE
0
Why not Manchester United 😆