Man City news: Expert issues surprise Declan Rice claim as double-your-money deal agreed
It was a surprise to see Premier League champions Man City opt to sign Kalvin Phillips over fellow England star Declan Rice.
That is according to Tottenham insider John Wenham, who regularly breaks news about the club on his Lilywhite Rose social media channels.
Football Insider revealed on Saturday (25 June) that Phillips has agreed terms on a double-your-money contract with Man City as he finalises a move from Leeds United.
It is understood that the England midfielder has agreed the terms of a contract worth around £150,000-a-week.
This comes after City reached an agreement with Leeds on the fee for Phillips of £42million rising to a potential £45million with add-ons.
Wenham claimed the Whites star “ticks boxes” for Pep Guardiola’s side but suggested it won’t be long until he is displaced by Oliver Skipp in the England pecking order.
“They’ve signed him because they’ve lost Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan wants to leave,” he told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“They haven’t actually got that many other midfielders.
“How aren’t they going for Declan Rice?
“They did need someone else. They’ve got some good players coming through, but they definitely needed another first-team player.
“They’ve got Rodri, who is an 8/10 every week – a really undervalued player, much like Sergio Busquets at Barcelona.
“Kalvin Phillips ticks a lot of boxes. He’s Premier League proven, England international – but my personal prediction is that it isn’t long before Oliver Skipp gets ahead of him in the pecking order for England.”
Man City have also completed a deal for elite striker Erling Haaland.
The defending champions begin their 2022/23 campaign against Rice’s West Ham on 7 August.
In other news, expert claims £50m Man City deal could change Premier League forever.