Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was keen to add a new striker to his squad during the summer transfer window after the departure of Sergio Aguero. Failing to do so meant the Cityzens ended up with only one summer signing in Jack Grealish, who arrived from Aston Villa on a British record £100m deal.
According to Spanish news outlet Fichajes, Pep Guardiola is prioritising reinforcing his midfield options before signing a striker when the transfer window reopens in January. With Chelsea and Manchester United investing heavily in the recent window, the Manchester City tactician wants to spend big on a defensive midfielder and has told the club’s hierarchy about his plans going forward.
Fichajes claims Guardiola has requested Manchester City to make a move for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips as he eyes a long-term replacement for Fernandinho.
Fernandinho, 36, signed a one-year contract in June that keeps him at Manchester City until the summer of 2022. The Brazilian midfielder has been pivotal to City’s success under Guardiola, helping the Mancunian club to three Premier League titles in the last four seasons.
However, with Fernandinho in the autumn of his career and Rodri yet to fully convince since arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2019, Guardiola is keen on signing Kalvin Phillips.
Phillips, 25, has enjoyed great 12-15 months since achieving promotion with Leeds last year. Such has been his impact that the midfielder has managed to cement his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad and was one of his nation’s shining stars in the summer’s European Championships.
And, the 25-year-old’s exploits with the Yorkshire giants have duly been noted by Guardiola, who wants to sign the Englishman as a rotation option with Rodri in his midfield, the report adds. Phillips is currently rated at around £30m, which should be a paltry sum for a club with supreme financial clout.
That being said, Phillips is one of the vital players in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad at Elland Road and Leeds would be resolute to keep hold of their prized asset.