Newly-promoted Ipswich Town have emerged as a potential destination for Kalvin Phillips as he aims to rebuild his career.
Phillips has struggled for game time since leaving his boyhood club Leeds for Manchester City in a £45million deal in 2022, with the midfielder managing just six starts across all competitions. A January loan move to West Ham saw him fail to rediscover his form and Phillips is expected to be on the move again this summer.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Ipswich, Everton and Fulham are all interested in signing Phillips. The report states that City were hoping for a permanent move, but are open to letting him leave on loan again.
Phillips has featured regularly for City in pre-season and manager Pep Guardiola has insisted his "confidence is back". Speaking ahead of the Community Shield, Guardiola said: "He is a central midfielder, but I said many times Kalvin likes to see all the game in front of him.
"When he is in the middle surrounded by players he struggles a little bit. But he helped us a lot in the last couple of games on tour. I should have seen that before. His confidence is back."
However, Guardiola was critical of Phillips after some disappointing performances during pre-season clashes with Celtic and AC Milan. "Kalvin I don't know what is going to happen with his situation," Guardiola said after moving Phillips into defence against Barcelona.
"He was really good for the problems we had. I know Kalvin when he gets the ball and can see all the pitch in front of him he's a really good player. When he has the small spaces there are more problems.
"That's why with the problems we have he makes an incredible effort with his position. He was confident with the ball and helps us a lot. I'm really pleased with his performance. When we have all our central defenders, we have a lot of central defenders.
"That's why it's not his position, we will see. Now he's helping us and it's good for us. I had the feeling that every day we get better." Phillips did not make the bench for the Community Shield, with City beating rivals Manchester United 7-6 on penalties.