Manchester City will not stand in Kalvin Phillips's way of an exit during the January transfer window, according to a report.
The former Leeds United man had big shoes to fill upon his arrival in the summer of 2022, as Pep Guardiola's side waved goodbye to long-serving captain Fernandinho.
Phillips had previously shone during the Whites' surge back up to the Premier League and played a key role in keeping his side afloat, but his fortunes have taken a nosedive in Manchester.
The England international is without a goal or assist in 26 appearances for the treble winners, although his cause was not helped by a shoulder injury during his debut campaign.
Since returning to full fitness, though, Phillips has only played five times in the current campaign, including just one start in an EFL Cup third-round defeat to Newcastle United.
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The 27-year-old has only earned 70 minutes of Premier League football so far this season, while coming off the bench in the dying embers of his side's opening Champions League win over Red Star.
Phillips finds himself below Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes, Kevin De Bruyne and Mateo Kovacic in the midfield pecking order, although his contract still runs until the summer of 2028.
Nevertheless, a swift exit is now being mooted amid his prolonged struggles, and Football Insider claims that Man City are open to letting the midfielder bid his farewells in the January window.
Both sides have supposedly come to the conclusion that a move away would be the best solution for Phillips's career, only a few months after City blocked him from leaving during the summer window.
The report adds that Phillips was not keen on the idea of leaving after just one season either, as the 27-year-old still wanted to prove to Guardiola that he belonged with the English and European champions.
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However, having remained on the fringes of the first team, Phillips is allegedly warming to the idea of advancing his career elsewhere, especially with Euro 2024 on the horizon.
West Ham United were tipped to move for Phillips in the summer following Declan Rice's record-breaking move to Arsenal, but the Irons moved for Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse instead.
The former Leeds man is not expected to be short of options in the winter, though, as both Everton and Newcastle United are believed to be keeping a close eye on the ever-changing situation.
Despite his lack of domestic action, Phillips was called up to the England squad for October's internationals with Australia and Italy, coming off the bench in the second half of Friday's friendly win over the Socceroos.
The Three Lions return to competitive action on Tuesday, where a win over Italy would guarantee their place in next year's European Championship finals.
Ben Knapton
