Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has been touted as a target for Newcastle United and Juventus during the January transfer window

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has been linked with a move away during the January transfer window.

The England international was a revelation during his time with Leeds United but has struggled to establish himself in a City shirt. Since signing in 2022, Phillips has made a total of 31 appearances, while being limited to just six starts across all competitions after failing to dislodge Rodri from City’s starting XI.

The 28-year-old has spoken about his struggle for first team minutes, with manager Pep Guardiola previously apologising to Phillips for his role within the squad. This has led to reports that Phillips is being considered as a potential target for several clubs, including Newcastle United and Juventus.

Newcastle’s stance on Phillips transfer emerges

City have been warned that Newcastle may bide their time to agree to a move for Phillips.

The Magpies have been linked with a loan move for the former Leeds star as he seeks regular football. Despite their need for a new recruit, Daily Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards has stated that Newcastle could look to hold their nerve in terms of agreeing a suitable loan fee.

“As I think I’ve said already, he would like the move to Newcastle,” Edwards said on BBC Sport’s Transfer Gossip podcast. “Newcastle like him, but I think Newcastle are waiting for whatever reason towards the end of the window.

“I think Newcastle are trying to haggle. They’re trying to do a bit of brinkmanship. They’re trying to get the loan fee down. They are confident that Kalvin Phillips wants to come to them, but they want that loan fee. They want it on more favourable terms to themselves

“I also think there is another strand to this in that Newcastle may well need to sell someone this month before they can fund their own transfer activity because of profit and sustainability rules. I think they’re looking at that.”

Juventus move ruled out

Juventus are claimed to have ruled themselves out of a move for Phillips.

The Turin club were previously described as frontrunners for his signature. However, an update from journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that Juventus have ‘no intention to proceed’ with a deal for Phillips after holding talks with City.

A report from the Daily Mail added that Newcastle remain interested, with Juventus’ decision boosting their hopes of agreeing a deal for the midfielder.

Guardiola gives Phillips update

City boss Guardiola recently gave an update on Phillips’ situation.

The midfielder has made 10 appearances for City this season, with only two of those coming as starts. Phillips could have been presented with a rare opportunity against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup but was left out of the matchday squad due to illness.

“I don’t know; only I said the last five days he has been sick; he couldn’t train,” Guardiola said. “The rest is on the transfer market, I said many times. Txiki [Begiristain] is there. What’s going to happen is going to happen. I’m not going to anticipate anything here because I don’t know the desires of the players. Some of them I know, but some of them I don’t.”

Newcastle and Juventus linked

The midfielder quickly emerged as one of the key names in the January transfer window.

Phillips’ situation at City led to a report from Sky Sports that the club were’seeking’ an exit for the midfielder. The report claimed that the city was targeting a sale outright but that a loan deal could not be ruled out.

Italian giants Juventus were reported to be ‘leading contenders’ for his signature. While Newcastle were also said to be ‘weighing up’ a move for Philllips given their need for reinforcements, concerns were outlined about the former Leeds man immediately adapting to Eddie Howe’s system.

Phillips speaks out about future

Phillips has already given an honest assessment of his predicament at the club.

While the team has won the treble and lifted the Club World Cup during his time at the Etihad Stadium, Phillips has been forced to occupy a bit-part role. Despite his situation at club level, Phillips has continued to be a key player for England boss Gareth Southgate but is fearful of retaining his place ahead of Euro 2024 in the summer.

“I know that I need to be playing games and competing every weekend,” Phillips admitted back in October. “I’m going to have to make a decision on [my future] over the next few months. He [Gareth Southgate] just says that for me to keep my spot, I have to be playing games. That’s what I want to do. I have agreed with Gareth on that.

“I want to play football and want to play as much as possible. Over the last year and a half, I haven’t been able to do that due to injuries and other factors. It’s something I am going to have to think about. Hopefully, my chance does come, but if it doesn’t, then I will have to make other decisions as well.”