According to reports in the English press, Juventus have opened talks to sign Defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City. Major bookmakers have made The Old Lady and Newcastle United joint favourites to land the Englishman in January.
The 28-year-old joined Manchester City in the summer of 2022 for a fee of €49 million, but has struggled to find playing time since moving. Pep Guardiola can’t seem to play within his system, leading to long periods of absence.
Despite his struggles at City, he continually told the media that he was looking to stay and fight for his place last season. More recent reports recommend a replenishment of the center and that it would be open to moving to Turin in January.
Securing his place in England’s EURO 2024 squad could be the motivation behind seeking a transfer in this window. Phillips has been a fixture of Gareth Southgate’s squad, but there are increasing calls for him to be dropped due to his lack of playing time at club level.
The defensive midfield is a dominance that Massimiliano Allegri has sought in recent windows. A move for Thomas Partey from Arsenal failed to materialise this summer, and the Ghanaian is unlikely to move that window. Juventus are also said to be interested in combative Tottenham midfielder Pierre Emile-Hojburg.
Phillips has a similar profile to other Juventus midfield targets, and getting a deal done deserves to be straightforward if he is looking to leave the Etihad. His impressive form at his boyhood club Leeds raises hopes that his disappointing spell at City is possibly over. have been caused simply by joining the club.
Though he doesn’t play much, Phillips is a beloved member of the Citizens’ three-time winning team. His teammates have praised him for his correct attitude and his willingness to work in training.
There have been conflicting reports as to the nature of the potential deal, but it appears likely to be a loan until the end of the season with an option to make the move permanent. A loan deal makes sense for Juventus as it will allow them to assess Phillips’s ability to adapt to Serie A before committing a fee.
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