Phillips handed January exit route after Guardiola gave Liverpool green light

02 December 2023 , 12:59

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Phillips handed January exit route after Guardiola gave Liverpool green light

Kalvin Phillips is being courted by Juventus and a host of top Premier League clubs ahead of the January transfer window.

The Manchester City midfielder, 27, has struggled for minutes since joining the champions from Leeds in the summer of 2022, making just 29 appearances in total. He has made just four league appearances this term and has started just once: a Carabao Cup match against Newcastle back in September.

Phillips was heavily linked with a transfer in the summer but made it clear he was reluctant to entertain the idea of moving on from City so quickly. But with his minutes still limited, numerous suitors are now planning to offer Phillips an escape route in the New Year.

According to a new report from The Sun, Juventus are one of said teams and the Italian giants are 'leading the race' to capture the England star, who recognises need to play regularly ahead of Euro 2024. The report goes on to claim Phillips is open to the idea of kickstarting his career overseas.

While Phillips is receptive to the idea of joining Juventus, they will face competition from clubs in England, with Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham also interested in a deal.

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Liverpool are another club who have been consistently linked with Phillips over recent months. But after Jurgen Klopp signed four new midfielders in the summer, it remains to be seen if Phillips would still be of interest to the Anfield chief.

Join the debate! Would Phillips be a good signing for Liverpool? Let us know here.

Kalvin Phillips could be offered an escape route from Manchester City in January (Alex Caparros/UEFA)

It's highly unlikely Manchester City would prevent Phillips from joining any of his Premier League suitors mid-season given that Pep Guardiola has already stressed he would not prevent the midfielder from joining a top club like Liverpool or Newcastle.

Guardiola was asked prior to last month's meeting with Chelsea whether he would ever block a player joining a title rival. He replied: “Never. Never ever. From my point of view, I have said this to the club many times. I give my opinion to the club and they decide if the transfer suits for both sides and the player.

“Why? I think that means you are a small club (if you block a transfer). Big clubs, they don’t care. They make decisions for the benefit of all three parties: players and both clubs - and the agents sometimes. So really it is not a problem.‌

“If they want to go to Chelsea or [Manchester] United or, I don’t know, Liverpool, whatever, what is the problem? They are happy to be there and the club is happy with the transfer. The other club is happy with the amount of money they spend, so it is fine. Another player will come to us and we keep going in a good spirit and a good mood.”

Dan Marsh