Credit: Kalvin Phillips Instagram- League Champions City are expected to start negotiations for Kalvin Phillips now the Nations League fixtures have been completed
- The retirement of club captain Fernandinho has left City in need of fresh reinforcements in the defensive midfield role
- Phillips, dubbed the “The Yorkshire Pirlo”, has risen to prominence in the last seasons, and is now a full England international
Kalvin Phillips move to Man City is drawing closer with an opening bid expected in the coming days.
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The England international has informed Leeds United of intentions to cross the Pennines and join City. At 26 it’s a move the midfielder simply cannot turn down.
Leeds have already been one of the most active teams in the transfer market from the Premier League. The £35 million acquisition of Red Bull Salzburg duo Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen, was quickly followed by the £10 million signing of Bayern Munich’s midfielder Marc Roca earlier this month.
City, now short on numbers in the pivot role following the departure of former club captain Fernandinho, are on the lookout for a defensive midfield to complement Rodri. Phillips certainly fits the profile; his stock has risen considerably since Leeds United’s return to the Premier League. Dubbed the “The Yorkshire Pirlo”, Phillips is now a full England international and is one of the first names of the team sheet for the three lions.
A transfer fee around the £45-50 million mark is understood to be City’s valuation of the player, whilst Phillips eagerness to join the league champions is expected to make negotiations relatively swift.
Pep Guardiola wants all new signings wrapped up early and reporting for pre-season training in mid-July. Expect Phillips to be joined by fellow new signings Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez on the plane to Houston for their first pre-season fixture against Club América on the 21st July.
