Leeds United News have the latest information on Kalvin Phillips’ situation at Man City.
Once nurtured at boyhood club Leeds United, the big-money transfer has not gone to plan for Phillips. It’s become clearer that Phillips is continuing to drop in the Man City pecking order under Pep Guardiola this summer, too.
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 switch. However, nothing materialised on that front.
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 previously that City have an asking price of £20 million for Phillips as well.
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesThe latest on Kalvin Phillips’ Man City situation and Leeds desire
It’s unlikely that his current club recoups that sort of fee for his services now. It was also claimed that Leeds made a late check on deadline day but he remained put, despite French giants Lyon also considering a move for Phillips.
It was even stated that 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.
Now, January is a period for them to reassess. The question remains over how much of a part Phillips plays in their team from between now and then? With Phillips having not been in a single matchday squad for Guardiola’s side so far.
Previously, our transfer correspondent, Graeme Bailey, told Leeds United News that Phillips wanted to come back to Leeds this summer. We asked what the situation with him is now that the window has closed.
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LUN asked: “Because Phillips simply isn’t going to play much under Guardiola for the next four months, is he?”
He said: “No. But yeah, that return to Elland Road didn’t happen, even if Phillips wanted to come back to Leeds. He will have to wait until January.
“You never know [they could cancel his contract before then]. But, obviously, clubs can’t sign him until January if he does that, anyway. Let’s see.”
Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesKalvin Phillips’ previous comparison between Marcelo Bielsa and Pep Guardiola
Phillips made a name for himself at Leeds under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa, with the Argentine instrumental in Phillips’ rise to becoming an England regular at one stage.
Phillips has spoken previously comparing Guardiola and Bielsa. He said: “I’d probably say there’s more differences to be honest. But I’d say the similarities are how demanding he is, both of them.
“They’re both so demanding. Obviously both see football in different ways, so the way Bielsa plays is a lot different to the way Pep plays.
“But just the way they’re so… they love football, and everything they do is about football. And they just want you as a player and as a team to get better and better.”