Kalvin Phillips’ first season at Man City was a major disappointment and he has his work cut out to reignite his career at the Etihad.
Steve McManaman believes Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips could be a potential transfer target for Liverpool should Fabinho leave this summer.
Phillips endured a disappointing first season at City after moving from Leeds United last summer. The 27-year-old made 21 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, but started just two games in the Premier League.
Even though Phillips signed a deal until the summer of 2028 last year, speculation surrounds his future at the Etihad Stadium and if whether he will be at the club next season. Ilkay Gundogan has departed for Barcelona, but Mateo Kovacic has been signed from Chelsea too.
Reports have emerged suggesting that rivals Liverpool could turn to Phillips should Fabinho depart this summer. The Anfield midfielder could be making a switch to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad who are said to have offered Jurgen Klopp’s side £40m for the Brazilian.
Former Liverpool and City midfielder McManaman believes that should Fabinho move on to pastures new, then Phillips will be come into the Anfield club’s transfer thinking in order to plug the gap. However, the ball will be in City’s court and they will have to decide if they want to sell to a direct Premier League rival and strengthen them.
Speaking to BetFred, McManaman said: “If Liverpool lose Fabinho, then I believe that Kalvin’s name would come into the mix. He’s English, he’s an England international, he plays in that role and I don’t believe that Manchester City would expect a club to break the bank for him.
There may be a deal there to pursue and if Jürgen Klopp is to lose a defensive midfielder this summer, then a move for Kalvin could certainly be an option, but it all depends on whether Manchester City would be willing to let him go to a Premier League rival.
“Manchester City have brought in Mateo Kovačić after losing İlkay Gündoğan, so they still have a similar nucleus of players that were there last season, so it’s still up in the air, but a move for Kalvin could easily happen as he fits the profile of what Liverpool would need if Fabinho leaves.
“He likes to work hard, he wants to prove a point, but it all depends on whether Pep Guardiola would be willing to let him join a rival and whether Kalvin would want to leave Manchester City after they’ve just won the treble.”
