(Credit: Getty Images, Imago)

Kalvin Philips to agree Man City transfer as 'new challenge' after Leeds update

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Published on:

07 Dec 2025, 5:31 am

Kalvin Phillips is preparing to leave Man City in the January transfer window and has his sights set on a move away from the Premier League.

The former Leeds United midfielder has made just one appearance so far this season and is not part of Pep Guardiola‘s long-term plans for the future.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, the 30-year-old is interested in pursuing a fresh start with a move to Europe, where he has a number of suitors, rather than insisting on his next club being in England.

Following unsuccessful loan spells with both West Ham and Ipswich Town, Phillips is now open to offers as he aims to broaden his horizons.

This comes after Football Insider revealed in October that Phillips is almost certain to leave Man City when the window opens, whether it is on a loan or permanent deal.

Kalvin Phillips set for Man City exit

Football Insider revealed on 5 December that Leeds will not re-sign Phillips and have moved on despite ongoing links with a return to Elland Road.

Any suggestions of a potential return for Phillips, while it would be greatly welcomed by the supporters, has now been pushed far down the club's list of priorities.

Instead, the midfielder has set his sights on a move to Europe as he expects to leave Man City in the hopes of kickstarting his career elsewhere.

Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: "Look, for Kalvin Phillips, I think he probably needs to move on from City in the January window and get back to playing.

"He's not played enough over the last couple of seasons, he's had disappointing loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich, so Phillips could be tempted by a move abroad.

"I'm sure there'll be a number of European clubs who would be interested in taking the former England international potentially on a loan deal.

Kalvin Phillips is likely to leave Man City. (Credit: Imago)

"I think that might be something that would be of interest to Phillips as well.

"He'd like to go and try a new challenge somewhere else and get his career back on track, because it's stalled over the last couple of seasons."

Premier League clubs to miss out on signing Phillips

With Phillips' next destination new increasingly likely to be abroad, a number of interested clubs in the Premier League are set to miss out on his signature.

Football Insider exclusively revealed last month that Wolves have set their sights on Phillips ahead of the January transfer window and could look to land him.

Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed in October that Everton are long-term admirers of Phillips and have an active interest ahead of the mid-season window.

Everton are among the clubs interested in Phillips. (Credit: Imago)

While the Toffees would be unable to agree loan terms due to Jack Grealish’s deal on Merseyside, they are keeping a close eye on the midfielder’s situation.

However, the midfielder is setting his sights on a move away from the Premier League, in a blow to both of the clubs' plans for the January window.

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