Newcastle eyeing Jan move for Kalvin Phillips – sources

Newcastle United are preparing a January move for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, sources have told ESPN.

The England midfielder has started just one game for City this season and the club are preparing to receive offers before the January window.

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Newcastle are keen to strengthen their midfield to compensate for the loss of Sandro Tonali, who was hit with a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules. Other clubs interested in Phillips include Juventus and Bayern Munich.

Phillips, a £43 million ($53.6 million) signing from Leeds United in 2022, has struggled to break into Pep Guardiola’s team and, according to a source, wants to return to regular football before the ‘Euro in Germany next summer.

The 27-year-old only started four games last season, with both of his Premier League starts coming after City were confirmed as champions.

His only start this season came in the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup in September and he was left on the bench for the league defeats to Wolves and Arsenal despite having competition in central midfielder Rodri , serving a suspension.

Phillips was named in England’s final squad for the matches against Malta and North Macedonia during the international break, despite his lack of playing time.

Gareth Southgate will name just one more squad – for March international matches against Brazil and Belgium – before finalizing his Euro 2024 squad.

If he remains at City in the new year, Phillips is expected to face even more competition this year with Kevin De Bruyne expected to return from a hamstring injury.