Pep Guardiola’s private discussions with Manchester City management regarding Kalvin Phillips have become a focal point amid increasing interest from Newcastle United, West Ham United, and even Bayern Munich. Since his arrival from Leeds United in the summer of 2022, Phillips has struggled to make a significant impact at Manchester City, leading to speculations about his future.
This week, City’s boss, Pep Guardiola, made it clear that if Phillips expresses a desire to leave in the upcoming January transfer window, he won’t stand in his way. While Phillips’ tenure at Manchester City seems to be approaching its end, The Daily Star has provided some insight into what Guardiola has discreetly conveyed to the club’s leadership regarding the 27-year-old midfielder.
According to The Daily Star’s report, Newcastle United, West Ham United, and Bayern Munich have all expressed their interest in acquiring Phillips from Manchester City during the January transfer window. The report suggests that Guardiola has privately communicated to City’s hierarchy his willingness to let Phillips depart in the New Year.
Manchester City is reportedly open to allowing Phillips to leave on loan in the upcoming transfer window, but there are two significant conditions attached to any potential deal. First and foremost, the acquiring team must be prepared to cover Phillips’ substantial weekly wage, which stands at £150,000. Additionally, they would need to commit to a permanent agreement with Phillips in July.
As the situation unfolds, the prevailing sentiment is that Manchester City is unlikely to feel a substantial void if Kalvin Phillips departs in January. Despite the hefty £42 million spent on his acquisition from Leeds United, Phillips struggled to secure a consistent place in the team. Even when Rodri was suspended prior to the international break, Phillips was unable to secure a spot in the starting lineup. Furthermore, the absence of star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne due to injury did not prompt Guardiola to adjust his tactics to incorporate Phillips into his plans.
