Kalvin Phillips’ next club: Who Man City outcast can and can’t sign for in January
Kalvin Phillips is almost certain to be on the chopping block at Manchester City in the January transfer window.
The ex-Leeds United midfielder has seen his career stall since his move to the Etihad Stadium back in 2022, and a pair of Premier League loans have been unable to revitalise him in recent years.
Football Insider revealed back in October that Phillips’ departure from Manchester City is almost inevitable this winter.
However, with the likely finances of a permanent deal making that a difficult proposition for many teams, a loan exit is far more likely for the 30-year-old, and that means there are strict parameters as to who he can join.
Kalvin Phillips deal out of reach for Everton, Fulham and more
Jack Grealish’s loan spell at Everton has been transformative for his career so far, but it looks set to put a spanner in the works of any hopes of his City teammate joining him on Merseyside.
Premier League rules dictate that a team cannot have two players on loan from the same parent club at the same time, and with Grealish practically David Moyes’ first name on the teamsheet, there is no chance of the pair effectively being swapped.
Similar situations are set to block a move to Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham, who are all at their current capacity of two loan players registered within their group.
Additional loanees can be taken on, but only two can be registered at the same time, making any movement unlikely in these cases.
Aston Villa’s pair of temporary additions Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott have both been linked with January recalls, and while the second city outfit are not an option for Phillips at the moment, that could soon change if either of that duo move on.
Wolves, Leeds and more are options for Man City loan
Football Insider revealed in November that Wolves are keen to sign Phillips in January, as they bid to try and turn their fortunes around in the second half of the campaign.
The Black Country outfit currently only have one loanee registered in their squad, so the door remains firmly open for them to pursue a move for the former England international.
Phillips has also been linked with a sensational return to Leeds at times in recent months, and that could provide Daniel Farke and Co. with a boost to see a former hero return.
Fellow strugglers Burnley also have a loan slot available, while Brentford and Sunderland could also be realistic destinations.
Alternatively, the Manchester City star may prefer to head overseas for a few months to try and rebuild his career away from the scrutiny of English football.
That method has worked for the likes of Scott McTominay and Conor Gallagher in recent years, and Phillips could become the next Englishman to try his hand in a top European league.