Manchester City’s strategy to transfer out Kalvin Phillips has hit a significant setback.
Manchester City’s plans to part ways with Kalvin Phillips have hit a major obstacle. The club had decided to let Phillips go during the upcoming summer transfer window. Phillips, who moved from Leeds United, had struggled to find his footing at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite high expectations upon joining the Premier League champions, he failed to secure a regular spot in Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup, effectively ending any prospects of a long-term future with the club.
His fortunes didn’t improve during a loan spell at West Ham United in January, where he faced criticism for costly errors and lost his place in the team. Manchester City now faces challenges in finding a buyer for Phillips due to his hefty price tag of £40 million, deterring potential suitors.
Seeking to impress Gareth Southgate ahead of Euro 2024, Phillips embarked on a loan deal with West Ham, but his performances there drew further criticism, particularly from the club’s fans. West Ham manager David Moyes defended Phillips, emphasizing the need for support and patience to help him regain form.
With a possible return to Manchester City or a permanent move to West Ham seemingly unlikely, speculations suggest Phillips might consider rejoining Leeds United, his childhood club. However, Leeds would need to secure promotion to the Premier League first to afford his transfer.
As Leeds United competes in the Championship Playoffs, their path to the Premier League hinges on upcoming matches against tough opponents like Norwich, followed by potential matchups against West Brom or Southampton.
The financial aspects of Phillips’ transfer remain uncertain for Manchester City, raising questions about how they’ll navigate the situation if they can’t meet their valuation for the player.
