Pep Guardiola has hinted at potential sales this summer, suggesting that Kalvin Phillips could be available if a suitable deal is found.
The midfielder, reportedly of interest to Everton, has struggled to make an impact at Manchester City since his transfer from Leeds United two seasons ago.
It’s widely accepted that City would be willing to let Phillips leave this summer as he seeks to rejuvenate a career hindered by injury and limited opportunities at the Etihad Stadium. So far, no suitor has emerged for the 28-year-old, which might work in Everton’s favor.
Phillips is on the radar of the Blues, and the England international could bolster Sean Dyche’s central midfield options following the sale of Amadou Onana.
Onana’s move to Aston Villa for an initial £50 million was completed on Monday. This departure had been factored into Everton’s summer business plan, and the arrivals of Tim Iroegbunam and Iliman Ndiaye, who could allow Abdoulaye Doucoure to play deeper, mitigate the impact of Onana’s exit.
However, Phillips would provide useful depth, though Everton would likely only pursue him if there is an option for a loan deal. Phillips spent the end of last season on loan at West Ham United.
City would prefer to recoup some of the transfer fee they spent on Phillips, but as the summer progresses without a suitable offer, the opportunity for such a deal might increase.
Guardiola hinted at potential exits before the end of the summer, stating, “I don’t know what will happen in the market. The squad is long enough, if someone leaves we talk about that. Of course, until the last day, we have chances – I don’t rule out the option to have new players but if anyone leaves, I think 85, 90, 95 per cent we will have the same squad.
I feel comfortable, because the quality of human beings we have in the squad is difficult to replace, and the quality is there. But we’ll see, I don’t know in the last moment if someone comes for some players and they leave, we’re going to decide.”
