Kalvin Phillips reportedly makes a decision over how to approach pre-season training with Manchester City.
Ever since making a £42m transfer to the Etihad Stadium, the former Leeds United midfielder's career has effectively come to a completed halt.
Just six starts were made for City between August 2022 and January 2024 before City allowed the England international to make the loan switch to West Ham United.
The expectation was that the 28-year-old would only benefit from earning regular first-team football with the Hammers who, at the time, were also competing in the Europa League.
Instead, Phillips's stock only dropped during his time at the London Stadium, making only three starts and seven substitute outings in all competitions.
Phillips is now back at his parent club where it is deemed inevitable that City will look for another avenue for Phillips that takes him elsewhere.
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Phillips makes decision over training plans
That effectively means there is some doubt over how Pep Guardiola will use Phillips during pre-season, with the Spaniard likely to be only interested in using players who are in his plans.
Nevertheless, according to The Sun, Phillips intends to make an early return to City's facilities in order to give himself the best chance of making an impact during 2024-25.
Phillips has allegedly informed City officials that he will return to the club's facilities two weeks before the rest of the squad and staff.
Since the start of April, Phillips has just 15 minutes under his belt, which subsequently cost him a place in England's squad for Euro 2024.
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What is most likely outcome for Phillips?
Given the financial investment that City made in Phillips, it is not simply about accepting any offer for his signature, permanent or temporary.
The player also has four years remaining on his contract, and any interested club willing to sign Phillips on a full-time basis are unlikely to match his income at City.
That is why taking on his wages in full while paying a loan fee is the most likely outcome for all involved, yet Phillips may not mind if it means earning game time on a weekly basis.
At the end of last month, there were reports of Phillips having interest from four foreign clubs.
Darren Plant
