Kalvin Phillips transfer update as Manchester City close in on deadline | OneFootball

Manchester City fans may have not seen the last of Kalvin Phillips in a Sky Blue shirt, despite this summer expected to bring about a new permanent home for the midfielder.

Phillips’ time at the Etihad Stadium has largely been a story of frustration, stop-start performances, and an ongoing struggle to establish himself in Pep Guardiola’s high-level midfield plans.

Signed from Leeds United in 2022 for £45 million, the England international was heralded as a long-term midfield option, but injuries and stiff competition have left him on the fringes of Manchester City’s first-team squad.

His latest setback came in May when he underwent Achilles surgery, effectively ruling him out of pre-season and limiting his chances of securing a move this summer. For a player desperate to rediscover rhythm and regular game time, the timing could not have been worse.

Suitors across the Premier League and abroad are believed to have expressed a certain level of interest in Phillips, but none have been prepared to take on the risk of signing him while he continues his rehabilitation.

A return to Leeds United has long been touted, particularly with the Yorkshire club’s return to the Premier League. However, financial restrictions at Elland Road, coupled with Phillips’ wages, have made such a move complicated.

Now, according to the information of ESPN’s Rob Dawson, Kalvin Phillips now looks set to remain a Manchester City player past the imminent summer transfer window deadline.

Having undergone Achilles surgery earlier in the summer, the former Leeds United star was unable to train throughout the course of the last few months, and he now may have to wait until January in order to secure his move away from the Etihad Stadium.

For City, Phillips’ situation creates a headache as they look to trim the squad before the new season intensifies in terms of schedule later this month. The midfielder’s wages, contract length, and injury status all contribute to an awkward standoff.

Looking ahead, January could provide a fresh opportunity for both parties. By then, Phillips should be fully fit and able to demonstrate his capabilities either in domestic fixtures or in training.

If Phillips can prove his fitness, a wider pool of clubs may be prepared to make an approach, easing the financial and logistical barriers currently in place. Until then, Pep Guardiola and his staff will need to decide how, if at all, Phillips fits into the squad dynamics for the first half of the campaign.