Leeds among three Premier League clubs who must agree Kalvin Phillips deal ahead of January
Kalvin Phillips has suffered a major fall from grace at Man City as he desperately seeks to get his career back on track.
Sources told Football Insider in July that Phillips would leave Man City after recovering from his latest injury.
Having picked up just 10 minutes in the EFL Cup this season, the 29-year-old is back to full fitness and looking to impress potential suitors.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 7 October that Phillips is certain to leave Man City in the January transfer window.
Failed loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich did the Englishman little favours, but Football Insider reveals the Premier League clubs who must consider him to bolster their midfields.
Fulham
Fulham are set to be without Sasa Lukic until the November international break after the midfielder suffered an adductor injury.
The Serbian has built an excellent relationship with Sander Berge in the middle-of-the-park, yet his injury has sent Marco Silva an alarming warning.
The Cottagers are light in defensive-midfield with Tom Cairney and Harrison Reed playing irregular minutes nor are getting any younger.
Phillips could be an ideal squad option to come in for the Portuguese manager and offers respite for the toll the Premier League can have on box-to-box midfielders.
Moreover, the ex-Leeds academy graduate’s passing range would be of particular use to Silva given his transition-based play style.
Leeds
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson exclusively told Football Insider in August that Leeds must re-sign Phillips ahead of their return to the English top-flight.
The Whites missed out on that opportunity likely due to the Englishman recovering from an achilles injury, but now fit and available, Daniel Farke will be tempted to go back in for him.
Before his blockbuster move to the Etihad in July 2022, the 29-year-old was the crucial component in Marcelo Bielsa’s midfield.
The Argentine revolutionised the way the Peacocks played, utilising Phillip’s stamina and endurance to run from box to box as part of his frenetic, high-tempo system.
Farke’s current selection of marauding midfielders also lacks that creative buzz given their goalscoring woes, nothing which a reunion with the ex-Hammer could sort out.
Aston Villa
Recently plagued by injuries to holding midfielders Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara, Aston Villa have been defensively exposed when the pair have been absent.
For example, against Crystal Palace on 31 August, a make-shift duo of John McGinn and Youri Tielemans did little to stop Oliver Glasner tearing the Villains apart, eventually winning 3-0.
Unai Emery cannot afford to lose the Belgian and Frenchman again and must strongly consider bringing in back-up in the position.
Phillips would be an ideal solution who the Spaniard could swiftly embed into his system, utilising him to combat the fixture congestion from Europa League commitments.
The Englishman would also be keen on the move given Marcus Rashford‘s revival towards the back end of last season.
This demonstrated that struggling Manchester based players can thrive at Villa Park under the guidance and protection of Emery.