Manchester City will reportedly look to sign a new midfielder in January if they agree to part ways with Kalvin Phillips.
The 28-year-old has struggled for regular game time at the Etihad Stadium since joining from boyhood club Leeds United in July 2022, starting just five of his 29 appearance across all tournaments.
Phillips is yet to start in either the Premier League or Champions League so far this season, with manager Pep Guardiola opting to use a number of defenders in midfield including John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis instead of the Yorkshireman.
Man City's No.4 is under contract at the Etihad until the summer of 2028, but it is widely expected that the midfielder will depart the Citizens either in January 2024 or the following summer.
Guardiola recently refused to rule out a potential departure of Phillips in the New Year after admitting that he "struggles to see" the England international in his first-team plans.
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A plethora of clubs have been credited with an interest in Phillips, particularly Juventus who have allegedly intensified their pursuit of the midfielder in an attempt to move to the front of the queue for his signature.
Man City's rivals Manchester United are understood to have identified Phillips as their top transfer target for 2024, while the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Bayern Munich are also said to be keeping tabs on his situation.
Should Man City agree to either loan or sell Phillips in January, Football Insider claims that the Citizens could look to recruit a new midfielder.
The report adds that Man City will likely have funds available for potential new arrivals in January, even if Guardiola has no immediate plans to bolster his squad.
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Last summer, Guardiola bid farewell to last season's treble-winning captain Ilkay Gundogan, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer, and Man City responded by signing Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes.
While Kovacic has proved to be a useful squad member for the Citizens thus far, starting 12 of his 17 appearances in the engine room, Nunes is yet to make a notable impact at the Etihad and has started just five of his 14 appearances in all competitions, providing just one assist.
Spanish star Rodri is Guardiola's undisputed first-choice midfielder when fit, while Kevin De Bruyne would have been a regular fixture in the City side, but he has been sidelined since August with a hamstring injury.
Versatile playmaker Bernardo Silva has occasionally operated in a central-midfield role, as have each of Stones, Akanji and Lewis.
Meanwhile, Man City could reportedly look to sign a new striker in January if Erling Haaland's foot injury worsens.
Oliver Thomas
