Bayern Munich have already done a deal for Harry Kane and look set to complete the signing of another one of Gareth Southgate’s most trusted players, this time from Manchester City. With the transfer window close to slamming shut in the coming weeks, clubs around Europe are looking to do final deals.
Bayern are starting to establish themselves under Thomas Tuchel and want to compete in Europe once again. With links to Kyle Walker going quiet despite personal terms being agreed upon, Bayern look set on another Manchester City player to help establish themselves.
Manchester City star to take Germany by storm
The player wanted by Tuchel is the former Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips. The robust central midfielders stock took a hit when he moved to Manchester City and he is looking to get regular game time as he looks to establish himself in Southgate’s England starting XI once again; especially with Euro 2024 looming.
With only Joshua Kimmich the only established defensive-minded central midfielder, Konrad Laimer being the other, Phillips would certainly find his playing time more regular than he is currently experiencing under Pep Guardiola; especially since the signing of Matteo Kovacic.
Would a deal go through?
It is understood that Manchester City would be open to selling Phillips but only for the right price. He is only one year into his six-year deal that he signed last summer, he is still only 27 and is an England international.
What Manchester City would prefer is a loan spell for the tough tackling man and get him the game time he so desperately craves and arguably deserves.
Phillips was a stand-out player for Leeds United in both the Championship and the Premier League, his talents were recognised by England and Gareth Southgate trusted him to play in the 2020 European Championship alongside Declan Rice. Phillips was the perfect player in that tournament and England fans are desperate for him to rediscover form to be in the side for the European Championships in Germany.
Will Bayern face competition?
They certainly will. The next club screaming out for a new midfielder is none other than Liverpool and Bayern’s former rival Jurgen Klopp. If negotiations go to the wire Phillips may favour a stay in England.
However, having seen his international captain Harry Kane make a sensational move to the Bundesliga he might be tempted to link up with him and decide that a new challenge lies abroad.
Either way, Phillips is certainly a player that either side would benefit from having and competition could be fierce for him.