Manchester City have reportedly identified Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips as their leading transfer target to replace Fernandinho during the upcoming summer transfer window.
What’s the news?
According to a recent report from The Telegraph, the Premier League champions believe that ‘his age and his energy and intensity fit the mould of what they need’.
A product of Leeds’ youth system, the England international has made 234 appearances for the Yorkshire club across all competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing 13 assists in the process.
With 23 appearances to his name across the Premier League and Carabao Cup this season, the 26-year-old has played 18 of those in a defensive midfield role.
Having played three times as a centre-back, this could point to why City see him as a suitable replacement for Fernandinho, as the Brazilian was also able to play in both of those positions when needed.
Former Leeds player Barry Douglas hailed Phillips as a footballer who “has got unbelievable attributes,” and is “one of the best at what he does”, with Transfermarkt currently valuing him at £45m.
Should Manchester City sign Kalvin Phillips this summer?
Guardiola would love him
According to FBRef’s scouting report on Phillips, he is currently rated in the high 90’s for his pressures, tackles and blocks, which highlights just how tough he is to play against.
Even though City ended the recent campaign with the highest average for possession per game in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola would undoubtedly love to have a player such as the Elland Road hero in his squad to make his team a more solid outfit when they don’t have the ball.
Taking into account how City have not been shy when it comes to signing players from fellow Premier League clubs in the past, with a number of those being England internationals, it’s easy to see why they have now been mentioned with a move for the Leeds stalwart.
Now that Jesse March’s side have avoided relegation, though, this could make it harder for City or any other club to sign Phillips this summer.
However, given the number of trophies that Guardiola’s side have won in recent years, and that they regularly play in the Champions League, this could potentially sway Phillips into saying goodbye to boyhood club this summer, just like Jack Grealish did to Aston Villa last year as he made the move to the Etihad Stadium.
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