Juventus are the latest club to consider a move for out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, according to a report.
The England international's future has been the subject of increasing speculation over the past few weeks, having admitted that he may need to seek a move elsewhere in 2024.
Phillips was a vital player for Leeds during their ascent from the Championship to the Premier League, and he helped the Whites retain their top-flight status in successive seasons before earning his marquee move to the Etihad.
However, the 27-year-old was only a bit-part player in his debut campaign, which was also hampered by a shoulder issue, as he struggled to displace Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Rodri in the engine room.
Phillips's game time in the 2023-24 season has also been restricted due to the summer signings of Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, while Rico Lewis has also been utilised in a midfield role recently.
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As a result, Phillips has only played 167 minutes across five matches for the treble winners this season, making three substitute outings in the Premier League and only starting one fixture, an EFL Cup third-round loss to Newcastle United.
The ex-Leeds man was unsurprisingly named on the bench for Saturday's visit of Brighton & Hove Albion too, despite featuring from the first whistle for England in a 3-1 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Italy on Tuesday.
Pressed on Phillips's future during Friday's press conference, Pep Guardiola refused to rule out a January departure for the Englishman, who is thought to be wanted by Arsenal, Newcastle United, Everton and Bayern Munich.
Now, Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Italian powerhouses Juventus have also thrown their hat into the ring amid their recent midfield crisis, which has seen Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli caught up in off-field scandals.
Pogba is facing a ban of up to four years after testing positive for non-endogenous testosterone, and Juve would be expected to terminate the Frenchman's deal should any sanctions be imposed.
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Meanwhile, Fagioli has been embroiled in the Italian football betting scandal, and having admitted to gambling on illegal platforms, he has been suspended for seven months.
Massimiliano Allegri's side are therefore expected to pursue midfield targets in the January transfer window, and a loan deal for Phillips could come to fruition, as City are willing to sanction a temporary exit.
However, the England international is not thought to be Juve's priority target, as the Old Lady are currently prioritising a deal for Tottenham Hotspur's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Atletico Madrid's Rodrigo De Paul and Udinese's Lazar Samardzic are also of interest to Juventus regarding a mid-season deal, while Napoli's Piotr Zielinski is on the list for next summer.
Phillips is yet to register a goal or assist in 26 games for Man City, and his contract at the Etihad does not expire until the summer of 2028.
Ben Knapton
