Manchester City have made reported Liverpool transfer target Kalvin Phillips their top priority in the summer window.
That’s according to The Daily Mail. They claim that Pep Guardiola has earmarked the Leeds United man who City and Liverpool both want as a replacement for Fernandinho.
City will reportedly pursue a deal for Phillips in ‘the coming weeks.’ This could be bad news for Liverpool, who have also been linked with a move for the England international.
The Premier League champions are said to have identified the 26-year-old as having the ‘perfect profile’ for their midfield.
Phillips a wanted man this summer
As well as City, Liverpool could well be in the market for a new midfielder this summer. Injuries to Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho ahead of this weekend’s Champions League final have exposed The Reds fragilities in the position.
With this in mind, 90min reported at the beginning of May that Liverpool have too been ‘keeping an eye’ on Phillips.
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The Leeds-born player still has two years to go on his current deal. However talks on an extension don’t appear to have progressed too much.
Back in January, West Ham United tested Leeds’ resolve with a £50m bid. That was duly rejected by the Yorkshire club. Leeds have since confirmed their Premier League status with a win at Brentford on Sunday.
There was talk of a ‘relegation clause’ had Leeds returned to the Championship. But that is obviously null and void following the weekend’s events.
As a result, it’s likely that any suitors would have to pay through the nose for Phillips. He won’t leave his hometown club for cheap.
Perhaps he’s worth it. Liverpool are reportedly pursuing a similar deal for 22-year-old Aurelien Tchouameni though. If they can tempt the Frenchman to the Premier League, there seems little chance of them rivalling City for Phillips too.