Newcastle continue to have ‘solid’ interest in midfielder for January deal – Magpies need to be extra convincing

Having lost Sandro Tonali to a gambling ban, Newcastle United have been mulling over the idea of signing Kalvin Phillips.

The Magpies’ interest in the midfielder has been somewhat longstanding, but the insistence in Italy has always been that Juventus were also keen.

That remains to be the case for both Newcastle and the Serie A side, as Calciomercato.it bring the latest on the situation.

It’s recalled that Manchester City would much rather see their player head abroad, meaning that if two offers with ‘equal conditions’ were made by Eddie Howe’s side and Max Allegri’s, they would choose the latter.

Newcastle are mentioned fairly quickly in this report, as it’s pointed out that the interest from Tyneside ‘is solid’.

What’s most important at this moment in time for Phillips is the ability to play regularly to make Gareth Southgate’s squad for next year’s Euros, and it could come down to that.

Who will give him the most time on the pitch? We will have to wait and find out, but Newcastle to have a disadvantage in that Pep Guardiola would rather not strengthen a direct competitor in the Premier League if he can avoid it.