Manchester City are in the market for a new defensive midfielder this summer after bidding farewell to veteran club captain Fernandinho last month, following an incredible nine years at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite metronomic performances from Rodri throughout the Blues’ latest Premier League title winning campaign, Pep Guardiola is reportedly keen to bolster his defensive midfield options, and Leeds United’s Kalvin Philllips appears to top Manchester City’s list of potential candidates.
Leeds, who sacked manager Marcelo Bielsa back in February, escaped relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season with a dramatic 2-1 win over Brentford in West London.
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Retaining top-flight football for a second successive season may however not be enough to keep some of Leeds’ biggest names at Elland Road for the 2022/23 campaign, as the Yorkshire club sweat on the futures of Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips.
The latter has been linked with a number of Premier League sides; namely Manchester United, West Ham, Aston Villa and Newcastle, although Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are claimed to currently be leading the race for the 26 year-old's signature.
A new report from Football Insider now reports that the England international midfielder has told Leeds that he is ready to quit his boyhood club this summer in pursuit of a move to the Etihad Stadium.
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Phillips, who made 20 Premier League appearances during an injury-ridden campaign, is reportedly ‘eager’ to sign for the reigning English Champions, and the 26 year-old is said to have already informed the Peacocks of his desire to leave during the transfer window.
Leeds are rumoured to be closing in on defensive midfielder Marc Roca from Bayern Munich in a €12 million deal, which could be the latest sign that Jesse Marsch is resigned to losing Phillips this summer.
Philips is contracted at Elland Road until 2024 though The Athletic report that the Sky Blues believe that a deal for the England midfielder could be agreed for a figure between £45 and £50 million.
Manchester City have already signed strikers Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez this summer, and are now widely reported to be targeting a new defensive midfielder and left-back.
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City and Leeds have had a strong working relationship in recent years, with players from the City Football Academy having enjoyed loan spells at the Yorkshire club, particularly while Marcelo Bielsa was at the helm.
Topics: Kalvin Phillips, Leeds United, Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Football, Premier League, Transfers
Harry Winters