Man City submit formal mega-money Phillips bid - Sources

By Wayne Veysey

13th Jun, 2022 | 3:58pm

Sources: Man City submit Kalvin Phillips bid after deal agreed

Man City have submitted a bid for Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.

The Premier League champions have turned their attention to luring the central midfielder from Elland Road after announcing the arrival on Monday of Erling Haaland.

A City source has told Football Insider that Phillips is their top target for the remainder of the summer window and an offer has already been table for Phillips.

Leeds face a major battle to hang on to the England international, 26, despite his strong links to the club, where he has graduated from the academy to be the poster boy of their best team in two decades.

Pep Guardiola is a “huge” admirer of Phillips, the source added, and has made it clear at City how much he wants him in his revamped team next season.

Around £50million could be enough to seal a deal for a player out of contract in 2024.

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The champions are in the market for a midfielder who can replace Fernandinho, while Ilkay Gundogan is also out of contract next year.

City face competition for Phillips from multiple Premier League rivals, including Aston Villa, West Ham, Newcastle United and Man United.

Guardiola’s side have one major advantage as they are able to offer Champions League football next season as well as a side capable of winning trophies immediately.

Phillips made only 20 Premier League appearances among 26 in all competitions in 2021-2s after being struck down by a hamstring injury in early December.

He returned on 2 April to help Leeds narrowly avoid relegation from the Premier League.

As it stands, he is a one-club man, making 234 total appearances for his home-town club.

In other news, expert can’t believe Silva could quit for £80m after Man City latest.