Midfielder Kalvin Phillips is ready to consider his options to leave Manchester City in January, a source has told ESPN.
Phillips has decided to stay and fight for his place this summer, despite struggling to break into Pep Guardiola’s side during his first season at the Etihad.
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But the 27-year-old is losing confidence that he will one day be a City regular, especially after being overlooked in Premier League games against Wolves and Arsenal while Rodri was suspended.
Phillips was signed in a £43 million ($52.5 million) deal from Leeds United in 2022 to compete for a place with Rodri, but with the Spain international serving a ban for matches at Molineux and at the Emirates, Phillips was left on the bench.
He has started just once this season in the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup and has only started two Premier League matches during his City career, both of which came at the end of last season after Guardiola’s side had already been crowned. champions.
A source told ESPN that, with Rodri available again and City out of the Carabao Cup, Phillips fears opportunities will be limited between now and the January transfer window.
He is desperate to retain his place in the England squad ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany next summer and although he has been selected for matches against Australia and Italy during the international break In October he was informed by manager Garath Southgate that his situation would improve. playing regularly.
He has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, who were unable to sign Fulham midfielder João Palhinha on deadline day.
Guardiola is unlikely to stand in Phillips’ way if he makes it clear he wants to leave in January. A loan decision is the most likely outcome ahead of discussions over his long-term future next summer.
