Many sources believe that Man City midfielder Calvin Phillip is about to move to Liverpool

Reports suggest that Liverpool is contemplating a potential move for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips. 

Phillips was acquired by City from Leeds United last summer as a replacement for their departing captain, Fernandinho. However, his inaugural season with City was challenging. 

The 27-year-old endured a significant portion of the campaign on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury and, upon his return to fitness, he didn’t gain the trust of manager Pep Guardiola.

During the previous season, Phillips made only two Premier League starts, both when the title had already been secured. Consequently, questions have arisen about his future with the club. While there were early links to a departure during the transfer window, Phillips expressed his desire to remain at the Etihad, stating:

“My intention is to stay there. We have just won the treble, so there is no reason for me to leave, other than if I am not playing I will obviously have to think about it. I cannot give it 12 months and say, ‘I am not playing so I am going to leave.’ I came to Manchester City to win trophies and we won the trophies, but I didn’t play as much as I wanted to.”

Nonetheless, reports from TalkSport suggest that Liverpool, who had shown interest in Phillips before his move to City, may make a second attempt to secure his signature.

 Liverpool has faced challenges in the transfer market, having missed out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who joined Chelsea. 

While Liverpool has added Wataru Endo to strengthen their midfield, there remains a desire to acquire another defensive midfielder, particularly after the departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.

Meanwhile, there are reports that full-back Joao Cancelo is moving closer to a transfer to Barcelona. Cancelo is expected to leave City this summer after spending the latter part of the previous season on loan at Bayern Munich. 

It appears that Barcelona is his likely destination, and Cancelo has not been involved in City’s first three games of the season in anticipation of this move. 

According to Catalan journalist Juan Jimenez Salvado, the transfer will initially be a loan deal but will include an obligatory €30 million transfer fee should Cancelo participate in 70 percent of Barcelona’s matches in all competitions during the upcoming season.