The transfer window has already been exciting for Manchester City this summer but they might have just been given another golden opportunity.
Manchester City have been busy in the transfer window as Pep Guardiola looks to rebuild following a disastrous campaign last term.
Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki have been recruited to bolster the attacking third of the pitch, while left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri has also been signed and is already sparking a great relationship with Jeremy Doku.
They’re only a step above friendlies, but City are already looking revitalised in their Club World Cup campaign after winning their three group stage games and pocketing £10m in winnings.
Yet, Guardiola still wants a smaller squad, even if Bernardo Silva disagrees, so there must be more outgoings before the window closes.
Kevin De Bruyne has already said an emotional goodbye and it seems obvious that Jack Grealish will be heading for the exit.
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One player City may struggle to move on is Kalvin Phillips, although they might have more of a chance to send him to Leeds United after the Yorkshire side missed out on a top transfer target.
Kalvin Phillips looks down during a warm up for Ipswich Town.
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
A Leeds United return for Kalvin Phillips just became much more likely
Leeds are back in the Premier League and doing all they can to ensure the squad is of good enough quality to survive.
It appeared Daniel Farke’s side were closing in on signing highly rated Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra, who scored in Senegal’s win over England in June.
However, they have been usurped by fellow promoted side, Sunderland, who have shockingly entered and seemingly won the race after gazumping Leeds’ offer.
🚨🤍❤️ More on Habib Diarra and Sunderland exclusive story overnight.
Documents are being exchanged with Strasbourg, initial fee worth €31.5m plus €4m add-ons.
Medical already booked, here we go 100% confirmed. pic.twitter.com/9fHBUgQWPh
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 28, 2025
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Leeds are in desperate need of at least two new midfielders and will now have to find alternatives after missing out on their top target. That could be just the opening City need to move Phillips back to Elland Road.
The £45m signing has been one of City’s biggest transfer missteps and his career nosedive is making it difficult to move him on, especially when he remains contracted until 2028.
A Leeds return for Phillips did look unlikely but the list of targets ahead of him on their shortlist just got shorter.
Kalvin Phillips injury latest
Phillips has spent the last 18 months out on loan – at West Ham United and Ipswich Town – and has been unable to rediscover his best form.
City are finding it particularly difficult to find him a new club this summer as the 29-year-old is currently dealing with an injury.
The Daily Mail reported in May that Phillips went under the knife to fix an Achilles problem that will keep him out of action until August.
That means he won’t even be able to have a pre-season in preparation for the new campaign, making him an unattractive prospect for potential suitors.
But, with any luck, the emotional connection of Phillips returning to his home city will convince Leeds to sign him anyway.