The summer transfer window is in full swing and current Premier League champions, Man City, will be looking to do some business before the door slams shut on any deals at the end of August, according to CaughtOffside sources.
It’s often thought that the best time to strengthen a squad is when it’s at its best, rather than waiting until something isn’t quite right before looking to tweak that particular area.
Man City have been the masters of doing just that in the Pep Guardiola era, and thanks to their high quality of recruitment, it hasn’t mattered who has left the club, the squad as a whole hasn’t been weakened.
Man City’s Kalvin Phillips in demand
That’s also testament to Pep Guardiola knowing just when a player has become surplus to requirements.
One player that has never really won the confidence of his manager is England international midfielder, Kalvin Phillips.
After an incredibly poor loan spell at West Ham which ensured that the Hammers wouldn’t be taking up an option on him, Phillips might well be wondering what’s next, with England honours well out of the picture for now too.
CaughtOffside sources understand, however, that all of Juventus, Everton, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa are vying for his services.
Man City have set a price tag of between £30m/£35m for Phillips, and Guardiola has given his approval for the 28-year-old to leave if the right offer comes in.
Aston Villa’s Unai Emery has apparently asked for the club to press ahead with a loan transfer without a compulsory purchase option as a matter of priority, but it’s unknown at this point whether City would accede to the same.
Everton have already held talks with Philips’ agents, with CaughtOffisde sources having been told that the club are considering Phillips as their replacement for Amadou Onana.
They too are only are prepared to make a loan offer to City at this stage, with the difference being any offer will have a permanent purchase option.