Kalvin Phillips looks likely to leave Manchester City in January (Picture: Getty Images)
Manchester City are in talks with Juventus over a January loan deal for Kalvin Phillips, who is keen to seek out first team opportunities elsewhere.
Playing time has proved hard to come by for the England midfielder since his 2022 move from Leeds, which cost Manchester City an initial £42m.
The 28-year-old has made just four Premier League appearances this season, all of which have come from the substitutes’ bench, while he started just one of City’s six Champions League group stage games.
Phillips has never managed to convince Pep Guardiola that he deserves a place in the starting XI on a regular basis, making just two top flight starts in his first season with the club.
The Times reports that Juventus are now in talks with the Premier League champions over taking Phillips on loan in January for the remainder of the season.
Juventus are challenging for the Serie A title this season, currently sitting second in the table, four points behind leaders Inter Milan.
Newcastle are also thought to be interested in signing the former Leeds man on loan in the forthcoming transfer window, but an official move is yet to materialise, while Bayern Munich have also been linked.
The midfielder is believed to be keen to pursue regular first team opportunities elsewhere as he looks to book a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad at next summer’s European Championship.
Phillips has been stuck on the bench for much of his time at Manchester City (Picture: Getty Images)
Although Phillips has managed to stay in Southgate’s plans despite barely featuring for his club, that situation is unlikely to last forever and he knows his chances of playing for his country next summer will improve if he plays regularly in the second half of the season.
Guardiola admitted earlier this month that he struggles to see Phillips in his starting XI, but said he would be happy for him to stay at the club because of his exemplary attitude.
‘I don’t know what’s going to happen,’ Guardiola said of his midfielder’s future. ‘I feel so sorry for my decision for him. I’ve said that many times.
‘He doesn’t deserve what has happened to him and I’m so sorry. The only thing I can say about him is I am asking for good personalities and characters and he is a perfect example. And after that I have to give him something and I didn’t do that.
‘It’s just because I visualise some things and visualise the team and things – and I struggle to see him.
‘I’m not very pleased [with myself] and I am so sorry for him. I will not say that [to him] because it is a business and I have to be a professional.
‘But if one guy behaves [poorly], I don’t care. But the way he behaves with the team-mates and everyone, I care. So that’s why hopefully it can turn around.
‘And I’ve said many times, if it comes to January and he stays, I’m more than pleased because he trains really good and he’s a lovely guy and character.’
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The Man City man wants to move in January.