Kalvin Phillips is reportedly ready to consider an exit from Manchester City, but the Citizens are keen to recoup as much of the £45m that they spent on the midfielder 15 months ago.
After seven successful years at boyhood club Leeds United, Phillips decided to take the next step in his career by joining Pep Guardiola's side with the hope of establishing himself as a first-team regular for one of the best teams in Europe.
However, the 27-year-old has had to settle for a peripheral role at the Etihad Stadium and has started only five of his 26 appearances for the club across all competitions.
Rodri is considered the undisputed first-choice holding midfielder at Man City, but when the Spaniard was recently forced to miss three domestic games through suspension, Guardiola opted against starting Phillips in two Premier League fixtures and instead turned to the likes of 18-year-old full-back Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva.
Summer signing Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes have also featured ahead of Phillips in midfielder this term, while John Stones – who has recently recovered from injury – is another option to Guardiola following an impressive spell in the middle of the pitch during the second half of last season.
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Although Phillips still has five years remaining on his contract at the Etihad, a lack of game time for an extended period has raised concerns over his long-term future at the club.
Recent reports have indicated that Phillips is expected to leave Man City in the January transfer window amid interest from a number of Premier League clubs, although the midfielder remains undecided over his future.
Now, Football Insider reports that the England international is ready to consider a departure from the Citizens in the New Year and would explore the possibility of joining another English top-flight club.
Both West Ham United and Newcastle United are said to be 'viable destinations' for Phillips, but any interested club would be required to fork out around £45m for the midfielder.
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Fellow Premier League sides Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in Phillips, with the former allegedly identifying the Yorkshireman as their top midfield target for the winter window.
A possible move to German giants Bayern Munich has also been mooted for Phillips, with head coach Thomas Tuchel known to be on the lookout for a new deep-lying midfielder.
It is thought that Bayern could swoop for Phillips as an alternative to Fulham's Joao Palhinha who missed out on a deadline-day move to Bavaria during the summer.
Phillips is currently away on international duty with England and is in contention to start in midfield for Tuesday's Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy at Wembley Stadium.
Oliver Thomas
