3 Premier League clubs tried to sign Man City midfielder before transfer window shut

Despite joining Manchester City only months ago, Kalvin Phillips has an uncertain future as he’s been short of form, fitness and playing time.

The 27-year-old finds himself on the periphery under Pep Guardiola, spending the majority of his debut season on the treatment table or the bench, so a number of Premier League clubs tried to sign him on loan before the winter transfer window shut.

Phil Thomas of The Sun said on Tuesday that Leeds United, West Ham United and Everton all wanted Phillips to bolster their midfield, but Guardiola wasn’t willing to let him go, likely because there isn’t sufficient cover for Rodri without him.

Phillips has made eight appearances in all competitions this campaign, amassing a paltry 165 minutes. The England international has featured in only 3/20 Premier League outings for City (15%) and has started just one game across the board, so he could do with regular playing time.

A temporary move to another Premier League side would have some appeal if Phillips could feature on a weekly basis, but Guardiola wouldn’t have a secondary option in the deep-lying role if he was loaned out. City’s squad is thin enough, so Phillips needed to be retained.

Man City ‘hold an interest’ in 19 y/o with Pep Guardiola ‘wanting’ goalscoring midfielders

Manchester City failed to make a signing on deadline day, but Jack Gaughan and Tom Collomosse of Mail Online say the Sky Blues ‘hold an interest’ in Jude Bellingham and are expected to make a move this summer. Pep Guardiola is reportedly ‘wanting’ more goals from midfield as City have been over-reliant on Erling Haaland (27 games, 31 goals, 3 assists).

Bellingham would be the perfect signing for Pep as he’s already one of the best box-to-box midfielders in Europe. The 19-year-old has made 114 appearances in all competitions since joining on a five-year deal from Borussia Dortmund in 2020, scoring 20 goals with 22 assists.

He’s joint-second in the squad for goals (4), joint-second for assists (3), first for tackles made (3.1 per game), fourth for chances created (1 per game), second for interceptions (1.4 per game), first for successful dribbles (2.2 per game), fourth for most passes made (52.6 per game) and first for most fouls won (2.9 per game), so it’s easy to see why City would be keen.

Bellingham won’t come cheap, however. Dortmund paid £25m for the midfielder three years ago but are requesting £100m-£150m for him now. City have the resources to match his asking price, but they’ll have to beat out interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Source: manchestercity.vitalfootball.co.uk