Newcastle United are confident of finalising a loan deal for Manchester City misfit Kalvin Phillips.
Kalvin Phillips, 28, is expected to leave the Sky Blues in the winter transfer window after failing to establish himself in the first team under Pep Guardiola. Following his £45million move from Leeds United in 2022, he started only two Premier League games in his debut season at Manchester City. The England international has continued to find regular opportunities hard to come by, having had to settle for four league appearances so far this season—all as a substitute.
Phillips is understood to have accepted he must leave Man City to increase his game time and secure a place in England’s squad for Euro 2024. Newcastle United have been reportedly monitoring the midfielder’s situation at City and are now ready to step up their interest in signing him in the New Year.
Juventus have also been linked, but Eddie Howe’s Newcastle are optimistic about their chances of beating the Serie A side in the race to secure Phillips’s signature.
Kalvin Phillips could revive his career at Newcastle
With Newcastle currently embroiled with concerns over Profit and Sustainability rules, they are pushing to sign Phillips on a loan deal. The Toon Army are also hoping to reach an agreement in the embryonic stages of the January transfer window, as they look to reinforce a squad that has been crippled by injuries and suspensions.
Injuries to Joe Willock, Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and Elliot Andersen at some point have hampered the team’s composition and consistency, while Sandro Tonali is out for the season after being slapped with a 10-month ban for betting violations. As a result, midfield reinforcements are an absolute must for the Magpies and Phillips could be a solid addition.
Despite his struggles for form and fitness at City, Phillips still has a great reputation having proven himself in the top flight with Leeds United. He could revive his stuttering career at St James’ Park whilst filling in for the suspended Tonali. The England international would be a good option to rest and rotate with Bruno Guimaraes, who has constantly played for Newcastle since the start of the season.
Eddie Howe is a big fan of Phillips’ qualities and views his signing as a priority after a run of one win in five has left his side eighth in the table. The 28-year-old defensive midfielder himself is keen for pastures new, with a berth in England’s Euro 2024 squad at stake.
Negotiations for Phillips are yet to begin, but expect Newcastle to wrap up a loan deal as quickly as possible next month amid their poor form and injury crisis.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
