Juventus have reportedly made contact with Manchester City regarding a potential loan deal for Kalvin Phillips.
Despite costing in the region of £45m in the summer of 2022, Phillips has barely been used in the Premier League by Pep Guardiola.
That has remained the case during 2023-24, as the England international has featured for just 89 minutes across four substitute outings and his only starts in all competitions have come in the EFL Cup and a Champions League dead-rubber.
Guardiola himself has acknowledged that he does not see the 28-year-old as a major part of his plans, viewing other midfielders as more suited to his tactics.
While it is an open secret that bids will be considered for the former Leeds United man, it is far from a foregone conclusion that he will leave for pastures new.
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As well as it being highly likely that no clubs will be willing to meet City's valuation mid-season, Phillips is allegedly on wages of around £135,000 per week.
With clubs in need of meeting FFP regulations, a compromise may have to be reached with City officials, but it appears that such a process is already underway.
According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have already held talks with their counterparts at the Etihad Stadium.
Juventus' well-documented financial issues mean that they are not in a position to try to sign Phillips on a full-time basis, despite that being City's preference.
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Massimiliano Allegri is in need of a new central midfielder with Nicolo Fagiolo serving a ban for breaching betting regulations and Paul Pogba facing an anti-doping tribunal for failing a drugs test at the start of the season.
The report adds that City are considering alternatives to Phillips with a number of unnamed homegrown players said to be on their radar.
Teams in the Premier League have been heavily linked with Phillips, such as Newcastle United, but FFP criteria may hold the Magpies back from completing a deal.
Manchester United are also said to hold an interest, but Phillips moving across the city is deemed to be highly unlikely, particularly due to his association with Leeds.
Darren Plant
