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After a win over the Urawa Reds, Rob Dawson explains how Manchester City can use the Club World Cup to get back on track in the Premier League (2:13).
Manchester City are in talks with Juventus over a January deal for Kalvin Phillips, he told ESPN.
Phillips will leave the Etihad Stadium after suffering opportunities to win under Pep Guardiola in the 18 months since his £43million transfer from Leeds United.
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Italian giants Juventus have entered talks with City, terms are yet to be agreed. The Serie A side would prefer a loan deal until the end of the season, while City would prefer a permanent transfer.
Phillips have only featured four times in the Premier League this season, and did not start when first choice defensive midfielder Rodri was suspended for games against Wolves, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
The 28-year-old is keen to return to normal first-team football to be part of the England squad ahead of next summer’s European Championship in Germany.
Newcastle are also interested and have yet to establish direct contact with City.
Phillips, who has a contract until 2028, is currently part of City’s Saudi Arabian squad as they prepare for Friday’s FIFA Club World Cup final against Fluminense.
City are content to keep Phillips for the rest of the season if no agreement can be reached on his departure, the midfielder has made it clear to Guardiola and sporting director Txiki Begiristain that he would like to leave.
He has played just 89 minutes of Premier League football this season and started just two games in all competitions, against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup and against Red Star Belgrade in the City’s final Champions League group game.
City are unlikely to update Phillips if he moves in January, something that hasn’t been ruled out. Guardiola hopes to reunite with Kevin De Bruyne in early January after the midfielder returns to his education in Saudi Arabia after three months out with a hamstring injury.