Fulham have reportedly joined Newcastle United in the transfer race for Manchester City misfit Kalvin Phillips.
Newcastle United were previously leading the race to sign the England international from Manchester City. However, the Magpies are looking to avoid ‘knee-jerk signings in January’ despite their poor run of form that has seen them lose four of their last five Premier League games.
According to the INews, Fulham are now monitoring Kalvin Phillips’ availability but face competition from London rivals Crystal Palace.
Kalvin Phillips, 28, is yet to start a Premier League game this season and has been deemed surplus to requirements by Pep Guardiola. A window of opportunity arose given Ilkay Gundogan’s exit and Kevin de Bruyne’s injury but the defensive midfielder has failed to make the most of it.
The report adds the Etihad chiefs are demanding £40million for Phillips this summer on top of a £7.5million loan fee should Fulham choose to sign the midfielder on loan before splashing the cash.
Kalvin Phillips to Fulham—Right player for the club?
Limited opportunities since his high-profile move from Leeds United have left Kalvin Phillips seeking more consistent playtime. With several clubs interested in his signature and De Bruyne’s return from a long-term injury, his departure from Man City seems imminent, opening a new chapter for the England international.
Fulham are among the clubs keeping close tabs on Phillips’ situation. The Cottagers managed to keep hold of Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich’s clutches during the summer transfer window’s deadline day but the German giants are planning to revive their interest in him. Manager Thomas Tuchel wants to sign Palhinha to bolster his midfield unit as Bayern look to mount a proper assault on the Champions League this season.
With the Portugal international keen on joining Bayern, the German club would have to renegotiate terms with Fulham given it is mid-season. And a player like Phillips would be the perfect replacement for the Bayern-bound Palhinha. In Phillips, Marco Silva would not only get a top ball-winner but also someone who is composed on the ball and a real grafter in the middle of the park.
Phillips’ reputation was enhanced during Euro 2020, with the player helping England reach the final. While things have not quite worked out for him at City, he remains a quality player who would fit Marco Silva’s counter-attacking style of play at Craven Cottage. He requires a change of scenery to bring back his career on track and a move to Fulham could be ideal.
If Fulham can get a substantial fee for Palhinha from Bayern and reinvest it well over the signing of Kalvin Phillips, it would be a win-win situation for all parties involved.
