Leeds United’s interest in Kalvin Phillips remained just that this summer, with the midfielder staying at Man City past the transfer deadline.
Back during the summer of 2022, Kalvin Phillips left boyhood club Leeds United for Manchester City. While it was painful for Leeds fans to lose the England international, many understood his decision to unite with Pep Guardiola.
Kalvin Phillips’ Leeds career
Injuries, the form of Rodri, and public criticism from Guardiola in press conferences have since seen Phillips lose confidence and go on loan to both West Ham United and Ipswich Town.
It’s become even clearer that Phillips is continuing to drop in the Man City pecking order. Amid that, Graeme Bailey told Leeds United News that Phillips wanted to come back to Leeds this summer.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesLyon eye Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips
Man City were reportedly considering paying Phillips off earlier in the summer. Leeds United News sources have since confirmed to us that it was a consideration late in the window for Man City and Phillips, but January is a period for them to reassess.
He still remains under contract until 2028. Earlier in the year, we revealed that Leeds could target a loan deal for Phillips in a bid to get around the cost of an expensive transfer deal. However, nothing materialised on that front, either.
It’s possible that Leeds could be in the mix for Phillips in January or beyond, but he will be a 30-year-old at that stage. It’s been reported that City have an asking price of £20 million for Phillips, too.
Leeds made a late check on deadline day but he remained put. Now, a surprise club has entered the race. It could see Phillips play abroad for the first time as well.
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That’s because, according to GOAL, Lyon are targeting Man City trio Kalvin Phillips, Nico O’Reilly, and Josh Wilson-Esbrand for potential January moves to the French club.
They have a strong relationship with Etihad bosses following the summer transfer of Rayan Cherki. The report states that could be used for further transfer dealings, including a surprise move to France for Phillips.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty ImagesRecent English players at Lyon
Phillips’ best form came under Marcelo Bielsa but could a move to a different league be just the tonic for Phillips? In recent years, there have been a number of English players to play for the French giants.
Tyler Morton has only just joined Lyon from Liverpool this summer, with the Lucas Perri deal helping to fund a move for the former Blackburn Rovers and Hull City loanee.
He is not the only English player on their books, nor is he the only one to have joined from one of English football’s biggest and most historic clubs lately.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles joined Lyon in the summer of 2023, meaning he is now in his third season with the club in a row. Players like that could help Phillips settle, should a deal be struck in January.