Kalvin Phillips, aged 28, faces obstacles in his intended January move to Newcastle due to Manchester City’s interference, as per talkSPORT reports. The issue revolves around Manchester City hindering Phillips from transferring to Newcastle this month.
The England international reportedly has a strong desire to join Newcastle, but Manchester City’s involvement complicates matters. Allegedly, Manchester City demands a £5 million loan fee from Newcastle.
Furthermore, talkSPORT mentions that Manchester City insists on Newcastle committing to purchasing the 28-year-old once the current season concludes. The transfer valuation of Phillips by Manchester City stands at £40 million. Consequently, it appears that Manchester City aims to have Newcastle agree to a £35 million mandatory buyout option after the conclusion of the £5 million loan agreement. Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s manager, is believed to be keen on recruiting Phillips to replace Sandro Tonali.
However, the Financial Fair Play limitations present hurdles in sealing a permanent deal for the Manchester City player. While Manchester City seeks a long-term commitment from Newcastle, the latter is open to acquiring Phillips on a loan basis, leading to complications in finalizing the deal. Manchester City may encounter difficulties in convincing potential suitors to agree to a contract obliging them to secure Phillips’ services permanently.
Since his transfer from Leeds United in July 2022 for £45 million, Phillips has had limited game time, featuring in only two Premier League starts. Additionally, a shoulder injury necessitated surgery in September 2022. Given these circumstances, Newcastle, along with other potential teams, would understandably prefer to assess Phillips thoroughly during a loan spell before committing to a permanent deal reportedly worth around £35 million.
