Newcastle surprisingly rivalled by European giants in ‘leading race’ to sign £45m Man City flop

Kalvin Phillips, a midfielder for Manchester City, is supposedly up for grabs between Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain.

Since leaving Leeds United for the European champions in the summer transfer window of 2022 for £45 million, Phillips has not made an impression.

He hasn’t had much of a kick under Pep Guardiola because he couldn’t unseat Rodri in the starting lineup. To be honest, there’s no shame in it.

Despite not being a consistent starter for his nation, Phillips’ lack of playing time at the club level hasn’t hurt his chances of making the England team, as Gareth Southgate continues to pick him.

The 28-year-old was once an important member of the Leeds and Three Lions squads, but unless he departs City, it is difficult to see him competing for more than a spot in the squad at the European Championships this summer.

The former Leeds favorite has long been associated with Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Juventus; now that the winter transfer window is open, a fourth, unexpected team has entered the picture.

The Telegraph claims that PSG, the French champions, are not only showing unexpected interest in Newcastle, but they are also “leading the race.”

According to reports, Phillips “is expected to leave” City in order to pursue regular playing time, as he has only made two starts in 18 months under Guardiola.

In the meantime, Guardiola has declared that the Cityzens would spend the forthcoming winter break traveling to Abu Dhabi for a warm-weather training camp.

“If it’s feasible, we go to Abu Dhabi again, all together, after Newcastle,” he stated.

“Last season we were there in the World Cup and it had an incredible impact for the staff and everyone. The five titles (we won) prove it.

“We go there to train in better weather, to be together – training, training and training to prepare for the second part of the season. That is the plan but maybe we’ll change it, I don’t know yet.”

City will begin the new year with their FA Cup third-round tie against Championship Huddersfield next Sunday.

The game could see the return to action of Kevin De Bruyne after the playmaker, who has not featured since August, was an unused substitute for Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Sheffield United.

Guardiola declared: “He’s getting close.” We asked one another to start using the dressing room and to come to the bench. Three months is a long time to be apart from someone.

“He’s training well, and he’ll begin to receive minutes to perform at his peak. The news is amazing.