Kalvin Phillips responds as Man City exit confirmed
Kalvin Phillips has reacted to a brand new announcement from the club as speculation continues to swirl around his future at Man City.
With just 31 total City appearances to his name since the summer of 2022, the defensive midfielder has continuously been linked with exits, even with a return to Elland Road with Leeds United now promoted.
Having struggled to make any major impact at the Etihad Stadium since his £45million arrival [BBC Sport], the 28-year-old spent last season on loan with Ipswich Town, fighting for Premier League survival.
Football Insider understood in April that Phillips was open to re-joining Leeds this summer, but a move has not yet materialised ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Elland Road favourite is not the first to depart the Etihad Stadium, however, with Kevin De Bruyne confirming his exit before the expiration of his contract, now signing with a new club.
Kevin De Bruyne signs in as Napoli player
Taking to Instagram (12 June), the official Napoli account wrote: “Kevin is proud to be one of us!” confirming the end of his decade-long spell with the Citizens after arriving from Wolfsburg in 2015.
Phillips was one of many to like the announcement, joined by Erling Haaland, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol, and Romelu Lukaku, who will likely play alongside him next season.
Pep Guardiola to prepare for mass exodus at Man City
Football Insider verdict
De Bruyne has already signed with the Serie A giants, but he is unlikely to be the final departure of the summer transfer window as the Citizens continue to seal transfers elsewhere.
Tijjani Reijnders, likely a creative replacement, has joined from AC Milan, with Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Marcus Bettinelli all arriving ahead of the Club World Cup in America.
Of course, with the likes of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Abdukodir Khusanov arriving during the winter window, City will need to balance the books with a multitude of exits over the coming weeks.
Jack Grealish continues to be linked with a move away from Man City, struggling to move back up Guardiola’s pecking order thanks to the signings of Jeremy Doku and Savinho.
John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, Ederson, and James McAtee all face uncertain futures this summer, possibly joining Phillips out the exit doors before the summer window slams shut.
It is about to be a massive summer of change for the Citizens, with a very different lineup to be expected at the start of next season, but supporters are ready for those deals to be done after a difficult 2024/25 campaign.