Town are among three Premier League clubs eyeing Manchester City’s England midfielder Kalvin Phillips ahead of the closure of the transfer window at the end of the month.

The 28-year-old has had a frustrating time since joining City for £45 million in the summer of 2022 from Leeds, making only two league starts and 14 sub appearances for the Premier League champions, then spending the second half of last season on loan at West Ham where he started only three top flight matches in addition to playing five games from the bench.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the Blues, Everton and Fulham are all keen on recruiting the 31-times-capped England international this summer. We understand there is something in the reported Town interest.

Manchester City are ideally targeting a permanent sale with the Leeds-born schemer not in manager Pep Guardiola’s plans, although he has impressed in pre-season playing at centre-half, but it’s said they may be willing to agree a loan.

Town are yet to add to the midfield this summer but are almost certain to want to strengthen that area of the squad before the window closes.

Phillips would be an ambitious move even on loan and, as with other potential deals, the Blues might struggle to fight off the more established clubs also in the hunt for his signature.

Elsewhere, former Town academy youngster Ben Knight has left Manchester City to join Real Murcia on a permanent basis.

Knight, 22, left the Blues’ youth set-up to join City in 2018, veteran academy coach Bryan Klug having said he was the best youth player he had ever worked with.

The forward made one senior appearance for City, as a sub in the Community Shield at Wembley, while spending spells on loan at Crewe and Stockport.

Photo: Marty Jean-Louis/Sipa USA

E_I_E_I_E_I_O added 14:01 - Aug 12 Unlike most I think he could be a good fit for a few reason, I also think he may fancy it. I think playing for a 'smaller' club could suit him, with the pressure off to show what he is clearly capable of. I also think he's the type of character to look at our squad/club ethos/spirit and want to be part of that. He wasn't great at West Ham but if anyone can get him going it is KMc. The big question is if or not he would be happy to take a wage cut in return for a greater chance of 1st team football....and sadly as with many players these days that's a big IF.

4

TimmyH added 14:02 - Aug 12 'loss of form'
0

barrystedmunds added 14:11 - Aug 12 More chance of 3 workman getting stuck on a scissor lift at PR………..
4

blues1 added 14:16 - Aug 12 Beattiesbackpocket. Youvthink £165,000 a week is 8-10 times the wages we are paying now?(£16.500) Can guarantee you we're paying much higher wages than that. So if a loan, would depend how much city were willing to pay. Would imagine they'd have to pay two thirds of that, leaving us paying around £42k. Which wont be for off what wages we are paying. For instance, Ben johnson was on £33k a week at west ham so he'll be earning at least that here

0

Monkey_Blue added 14:35 - Aug 12 If we can get him and more importantly get the guy from 2 years ago it would be a great signing. Would prefer it to be a loan because his wages would be mountains above all the players we have even though he’s a risk based on his performances for West Ham. It’s hard to judge his city career because he didn’t play much and when he did he was neither great or terrible. Loan signing for 50% of his wages makes sense. Kieran would get him on a level Moyes couldn’t. As for the other two clubs… possibly more attractive as established prem clubs and Everton would mean he doesn’t have to move… on our side, great coach and more likely to be regular.

3

bringmeaKuqi added 14:43 - Aug 12 Having been recently stung but the Williams loan, I agree with others that this one feels like a risk we don't need to take yet. Williams clearly didn't want to be at PR and I don't think he got on well with the rest of the squad (see for example the Christmas jumper photo he was in and the comments from the rest of the team – he looked miserable). Off field issues should be a major red flag ahead of our most important season.

-2

BeattiesBackPocket added 14:46 - Aug 12 Blues1 if you want to be pedantic does it matter how many people it is?? All I’ve seen on here is people saying we need bodies even McKenna said that but his wages WOULD mean we cannot sign 3 or 4 other players if that makes you feel better?? The guy hasn’t been good for about 3 years and was terrible at West Ham which is a ‘smaller club’ than city so the big fish in a smaller pond thing working doesn’t sit right. He’s also got a horrendous injury record so we still pay his wages if he’s injured which we cannot afford! As I said and you never replied the other day we can only have 2 loans at any one time 4 over a season despite you trying to say different. As I said if anyone can get the best out of him it’s McKenna HOWEVER it’s a huge risk considering his poor injury record and performances past 3 years.

0

Monkey_Blue added 14:47 - Aug 12 BeattiesBackPocket… 4 or 5 years ago? He signed for city 2 years ago and was a fixture in englands midfield. He’s had a rough couple of years, probably because city signed him and Pep decided he didn’t fit their system. He didn’t do well for Wet Sham but at that point how bad would his confidence be? If we had him I’d be delighted and my only worry is his wages unsettling the squad…

0

Doc_Albran added 14:48 - Aug 12 Whilst I had thought about him and the fact he could do a job for us earlier in the summer, the more you think about it, the more it doesn't really stack up. His wage demands would be significant, which could disrupt squad cohesion, he hasn't had a consistent run of games in more than 2 years, so fitness is likely an issue, when we play a high intensity press. I could see it on a loan basis with him trying to get his career back on track (and Citeh trying to generate some return for him), but I can't imagine we'd buy him outright, feels too much of a risk.

2

BeattiesBackPocket added 15:05 - Aug 12 Bringmeakuqi what are you on about Brandon Williams? As much as he had his own personal issues the squad got on with him well?? They all still follow him on social media as well so you’ve got that very wrong
1

BeattiesBackPocket added 15:12 - Aug 12 Monkeyblue I don’t disagree on the confidence thing that’s what I’m saying if ANYONE can get the best out of him then it’s McKenna BUT his injury record and form past couple of years has been poor. I’ve got 3 season ticket holder friends at the hammers and they said he’s probably the worst player they’ve seen there in a long while. Confidence is everything but we cannot afford those wages and HOPE we get the player from Leeds and HOPE he doesn’t continue his injury record. I’m sure you’ll be another moaning that we don’t have the number and he takes up a lot of numbers. Everyone seems to have forgotten profit and loss and getting deducted points atm people think we have a bottomless pit

0

Wicksy added 15:15 - Aug 12 Dirtydingus - maybe One of These Days?
1

Linkboy13 added 15:26 - Aug 12 Any transfer is a risk but this is massive and is probably a bit far fetched like a lot of news on here. He's hasn't done it for a long time now and seems to have lost his appetite for the game which happens to players from time to time.
-1

herfie added 15:33 - Aug 12 I think the heat’s affecting folk! Would have thought that, even if KM did want him, the chances of him trotting out in an ITFC shirt are as rare as rocking horse poo! (But……..you never know!)
0

Monkey_Blue added 15:37 - Aug 12 BeattiesBackPocket… I’ve admitted he had a poor spell at West Ham which was not even a season. Based on the whole of his career I’d say he’s a very good player who made the wrong move when signing for city… Lots of players have poor spells in their career but to condemn him for a poor 3/4 months at West Ham is harsh. He wasn’t being condemned for playing poorly at City.. the talk was simply he wasn’t better than Rodri so couldn’t get in the side or do we have to sign the best defensive midfielder on the planet to get the thumbs up. My worry is his wages but as a player I think he’d be a good signing. How much football did Luongo play in the couple of years before we signed him? I know this is a step up in leagues but as much as I love Mass, Philips is a step up in player.

-1

Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 15:41 - Aug 12 The plus for us is that he would be nearly assured game time, and a chance to regain form. That's not the case at the other two established top flight clubs.
0

Bazza8564 added 15:42 - Aug 12 Can't believe the cynicism, this is one of the worst sets of comments ive read on here for years. KP was a fist pick in the England side 3 years ago, at 28 he will want to go somewhere he can play and sitting in City's reserves or training with the kids. If City pay up an element of his contract his monetary demands might not be as frightening as you would think. I have absolute trust in MA and KM and never say never. And if this comes off, I hope everybody will eat their words

0

Gforce added 15:54 - Aug 12 More chance of seeing Ivan Toney in Ashton's car on Felixstowe Road, than this happening.
0

PhuketPete added 16:01 - Aug 12 The fact he’s only started 5 games in two seasons since leaving Leeds says it all to me.
0

ArnieM added 16:11 - Aug 12 …..”Says it all” Really? He’s been at the biggest , most expensively built squad in the country, and he’s not featured in the team. No s h it Sherlock…. Ain’t that a surprise, NOT. Had he been at any other club , yo7 might have a small point , but Man City ? Get a grip…..
0

cressi added 16:12 - Aug 12 Not for me has done nothing for two yrs was disaster at West ham not sure he will ever get back to the player he once was or even near it.
1

chepstowblue added 16:53 - Aug 12 Christ I hope not.
-2

Talbs77 added 16:55 - Aug 12 Absolutely no chance of happening, not even on loan, £150k a week! I think he’s a good player who’s lost his way a bit a perfect for a bit of McKenna man management but just can’t see it. One thing is though, if urgently need reinforcements in midfield.
-1

gosblue added 17:15 - Aug 12 I Was ridiculed when I questioned what the L City we’re doing signing him. Then Pep said he was too fat. I can’t see him fitting in here and we can’t afford him, it’s a no from me. Obviously if we sign I’ll back McKenna’s judgement but I’ll be surprised.
0

Marinersnose added 17:22 - Aug 12 Once again lots of emotionally charged nonsense being sprouted on here once again. Phillips was an England international of some pedigree and his performances were outstanding leading to a top manager Pep signing him for huge money. It’s not worked out for him at City and he’s lost his confidence but his talent will remain. West Ham were managed by a manager who had very little involvement in players development and as a result players such as Downes had to go out on loan to develop his talent. Another player Cole Palmer didn’t make the grade at City albeit I’m sure he would’ve done if he’d been patient but the point is that it’s difficult for player to break into the team. Phillips if he could achieve fitness could be an asset for the club. McKenna will do his due diligence I’m sure and wages have to be a consideration.

2

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls