Manchester City ‘eyeing Leeds star Kalvin Phillips as replacement for Fernandinho with England midifelder potentially available for just £26m’
- Kalvin Phillips was one of the standout performers for England at Euro 2020
- Pep Guardiola is a fan and sees him as a potential replacement for Fernandinho
- The 36-year-old midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the month
Manchester City are reportedly considering making a move for Kalvin Phillips as a replacement for ageing midfielder Fernandinho.
Phillips gained recognition on the world stage during Euro 2020 where he played a key role on England’s journey to the final, before the Three Lions lost on penalties to Italy.
City club captain Fernandinho has been a brilliant player for City over his last eight years in Manchester but his days are numbered at the age of 36.
Manchester City are reportedly considering making a move for Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips
Pep Guardiola is said to be a big fan of the Leeds and England central midfielder (above)
The Brazilian’s contract expires at the end of the season and fichajes.net claim Pep Guardiola has told City’s board to sign Phillips as a ‘first-rate positional midfielder to replace him’.
He would be brought in to compete with Spain star Rodri, 25, in City’s talented midfield.
The report adds that Phillips would arrive with ‘the aim of adding a valuable piece to his rotation in the shuttlecock area and that Rodri has someone against who will compete for the position.’
Phillips (left) would add competition to Manchester City’s midfield should he make the move
The Sun reported that Pep Guardiola wants to add Declan Rice to his squad next summer as a replacement for Fernandinho, 36, who is in the last year of his contract and is apparently unlikely to sign a new deal.
City are said to have tracked Rice since he broke into West Ham’s first team at 18 and placed him high on their list of transfer targets, with Rice rejecting two new contract offers by the Irons a few months ago.
It is also not believed that a nine-figure fee would act as a deterrent to City given that time is on Rice’s side. The Englishman’s current contract runs out in 2024 and there is no immediate pressure for West Ham to offload him.
Manchester United have long been linked with a move with Rice, with the contracts of midfielders Paul Pogba, Fred and Nemanja Matic ending in 2022, 2023 and 2023 respectively.
