Manchester City preparing to sign Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips after midfielder snubs Manchester United
According to the Mirror, Manchester City are looking to snap up Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window after the midfielder has rejected a possible move to Manchester United.
The Red Devils are in the market for central midfield options, looking to bolster their squad at the end of the season. The players they have available at the moment have been inconsistent this term, and unable to make an impact against stronger teams.
Although Man United are looking at Phillips as a possible transfer target, Leeds have made it clear that there has not been an official approach from the Manchester side. Furthermore, the Englishman is clear about the fact that he is not willing to join his arch-rivals after leaving his boyhood club.
Phillips has been an integral part of the Elland Road outfit, having helped them earn promotion to the Premier League from the Championship in 2020. Now, however, he needs to dig deep and try to help the Yorkshire side survive relegation during the final game week of the season.
City looking to pip United to Phillips
After snubbing United, their arch-rivals City could pip their neighbours to sign £50m-rated Phillips in the summer. Manager Pep Guardiola has eyed the England international as a potential replacement for Fernandinho, who is set to depart the Etihad Stadium at the end of the current campaign.
Ilkay Gundogan may also exit the club in the summer, which could force Guardiola to potentially recruit two new midfielders. The Cityzens have sent scouts to watch the 26-year-old several times this season, and the player could very well be an attainable target if Leeds do not survive the drop to the Championship.
This will come as a major blow to Man United, fresh after getting rejected by Phillips. It will sting even more if their local rivals manage to snap up the midfielder, given how reinforcements are a necessary need at Old Trafford.
Paul Pogba looks likely to leave in the summer when his contract expires at the end of the season, while Nemanja Matic has already announced his departure from the club ahead of the new campaign. This leaves a vacancy in the middle of the park, which the Red Devils need to fill.
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The expected departures will leave Fred and Scott McTominay as the only central midfielders in the squad, alongside Donny van de Beek. The Dutchman is expected back at his parent club when his loan spell at Everton ends in the summer.
With a move for Phillips seemingly not transpiring anytime, the Theatre of Dreams outfit will need to keep an eye out for other midfield targets. It remains to be seen who they can snap up in the summer transfer window, with van de Beek’s future at the club also uncertain after failing to impress thus far.
