Prior to Manchester City’s clash against Luton Town, Pep Guardiola confirmed something everyone already knew: he no longer counts on Kalvin Phillips.
The England international hasn’t played a lot under the Spaniard since his transfer to the Etihad, and with just over 200 minutes of football this season, the trend was only getting worse.
That’s why clubs such as Juventus were taking notice for a potential January deal, and Gazzetta dello Sport cover the situation of the Manchester City player on Monday.
They explain that following Guardiola’s claims that he doesn’t see the midfielder as part of his team going forward, the 28-year-old is now ‘officially on the market’.
This is great news for Juventus, who are keen on adding reinforcements in that department in the next transfer window, but there are still a few boxes to check before they go through with it.
The Serie A side know they have a ‘low-cost reinforcement’ at the ready if they so wish, and those in charge of transfers there ‘have a meeting scheduled as soon as possible’ with their Manchester City counterparts.
It could even happen ‘this week’, and Juventus ‘want to understand the conditions and feasibility’ of any deal, with their preference being a six month loan with ‘at most a purchase option for July’.
That being said, not everyone agrees with the idea of signing Phillips, because they know he will ‘need time to settle’ in Italy and get used to the football they play there, which, in half a season, is a lot to ask for.
What does play in Juventus’ favour, however, is the fact Manchester City would prefer to send him to Italy than allow him to remain in the Premier League at a rival.
Therefore, the Italians know they can always fall back on Phillips later on in the transfer window if none of their other options pan out.
