Exclusive: Everton make move to sign Kalvin Phillips
Everton have registered their interest in signing Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, sources have told Football Insider.
With Amadou Onana in advanced talks to join Aston Villa, the Merseysiders have set their sights on Phillips to fill their defensive midfield void.
Manchester City are keen to offload the 28-year-old, who joined the club from Leeds United for £42million in 2022.
Everton are yet to make any formal offer for Phillips but Everton manager Sean Dyche and recruitment chief Kevin Thelwell are looking to help revive the England international’s career after a disappointing loan at West Ham.
It is said that Dyche would prefer a proven Premier League performer who could slot right into the starting eleven.
Everton want Kalvin Phillips to replace Amadou Onana
Now that Onana is set to leave Merseyside for Aston Villa for around £50m, Everton have a serious dearth of first-team defensive midfielders.
Phillips and Onana are different kinds of defensive midfielder but both are equally as capable of making a significant impact for Everton.
While at Leeds United, Phillips was Marcelo Bielsa’s main man as the West Yorkshire club secured promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 17 years in 2020-21.
The ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ would go on to make 214 league appearances for Leeds United before moving to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
However, Phillips has endured a dismal two years at City, where he has struggled to establish himself in the starting XI.
Phillips also played an integral part in England’s Euro 2020 campaign, helping his country reach the final before ultimately losing to Italy.
In other news, Everton are set to make a move for Leeds United winger.
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