Juventus have reportedly intensified their pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips as they potentially face competition from Manchester United for his signature.
Phillips is widely expected to leave the Etihad Stadium in the January transfer window as he has struggled to gain regular first-team football under Man City boss Pep Guardiola.
The 28-year-old has started just five of his 29 appearances for the Citizens since joining the club from Leeds United in the summer of 2022, and he is yet to start in either the Premier League or Champions League so far this season.
Phillips revealed in October that he will "make a decision" on his future "over the next months" if his game time does not improve, while Guardiola has refused to rule out a January exit for the midfielder after admitting that he "struggles to see" the Yorkshireman in his first-team plans.
Juventus have been strongly linked with a move for Phillips as Massimiliano Allegri seeks to bolster his midfield following the long-term bans from football handed to Nicolo Fagioli and Paul Pogba.
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However, the Serie A giants are not the only club that have been credited with an interest in Phillips, as Man City's rivals Man United have allegedly identified the England international as their top target for the summer of 2024.
Newcastle United are another club that have been tipped to move for Phillips, although it is understood that a potential winter-window move to St James' Park is in jeopardy as the Magpies are in danger of breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, West Ham United, Everton and Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest in Phillips, who is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until June 2028.
In a bid to move to the front of the queue for Phillips's signature, Gazzetta dello Sport, via The Express, claims that Juventus have intensified their interest in the midfielder over the last few days, and Turin is the most likely destination for Man City's No.4.
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The report adds that Juve's sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has scheduled a meeting with Man City for "as soon as possible" to discuss a potential transfer to Turin in the New Year.
Juventus director Giovanni Manna recently revealed that the Italian club "are evaluating opportunities" in the January transfer window "but the search (for transfer targets) is not spasmodic".
It is thought that Man City would favour an offer from Juve as they ideally do not want to let Phillips join a Premier League rival.
However, it remains to be seen whether Phillips will hold out for a move to another English club or test himself abroad in the prime years of his career.
Oliver Thomas
