Manchester City have reportedly earmarked Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips as their top midfield target this summer. That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim that City are keen on the 26-year-old as a replacement for Fernandinho.
Fernandinho’s nine-year spell at the Etihad came to an end on Sunday as he is set to return to his native Brazil at Atletico Paranaense, with whom he started his career at. The 37-year-old has played more of a bit-part role in recent seasons with Rodri firmly establishing himself as one of, if not the best holding midfielder in the world.
Having said that, Fernandinho will leave with huge boots to fill after almost 400 appearances and 13 trophies under his belt. But Pep Guardiola is thought to have identified Phillips as the man who can do exactly that after his rise for both Leeds and England in the last couple of years.
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Phillips has become one of Gareth Southgate’s go-to men for the Three Lions since his debut in September 2020, with the 26-year-old being voted as England’s 2021 player of the year. And despite an injury-hit season, he then helped his boyhood club Leeds to a third successive Premier League season by securing survival on the final day.
Phillips is yet to agree a new contract at Elland Road, with his current deal set to expire in two years’ time. He has said that he would like to remain at Leeds this summer and now that survival is confirmed, the Whites are in a better position to offer him fresh terms.
