Manchester City are in the process of trimming down Pep Guardiola’s squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The legendary coach made it clear towards the end of the previous campaign that he wants to work with a smaller group throughout the upcoming season, as he didn’t like having to leave players out of his squad on matchday.
Some players’ futures will be easy to sort, such as Claudio Echeverri and Vitor Reis, who are likely to go out on loan this summer.
Others will prove more difficult, and in order to shift one “forgotten man” on at Man City, the Premier League giants are now open to loan deals, even though they would love to sell the player.
Kalvin Phillips collects a medal after the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 final match between Manchester City and Fluminense.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Man City open to loan offers for Kalvin Phillips
Man City will find it easy to sell James McAtee this summer as several Premier League clubs have shown an interest in the 22-year-old ahead of the new season.
The same can’t be said for the likes of Jack Grealish, who will leave Man City in some capacity this summer.
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The Manchester club are hoping to sell the winger over the coming weeks, but a loan move is the most likely outcome, given the finances involved in signing the Englishman.
This situation is similar to Kalvin Phillips, as according to Pete O’Rourke, the money Man City will look for to part ways with the midfielder, should determine if clubs make a permanent or temporary move for the former Leeds star.
Kalvin Phillips gives a thumbs up before Luton Town v Manchester City.
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“[Guardiola] was quite public that he wanted a more manageable squad at the Etihad for the upcoming season”, the journalist said on The Inside Track.
“Jack Grealish is probably going to be one of the key players in the rest of the transfer window, and clubs will be looking to see if they can prize him away from Manchester City.
“There will be a number of clubs who’ll be willing to offer Grealish a route out of the club, but it will come down to finances, so a loan might be the most plausible deal.
“James McAtee has a lot of interest in him, in the Premier League and also abroad. Eintracht Frankfurt are leading the race right now, and Borussia Dortmund are interested.
“There are also interested clubs in the Premier League. Palace, Forest and Newcastle are all looking to land McAtee, who’s probably available for around £20m–£25m this summer.
“The other one is the forgotten man, Kalvin Phillips. It looks like he’ll move on as well, but again, finances will dictate whether that’s permanently or on loan.”
How much do Manchester City want for Kalvin Phillips
Phillips’ stock is at an all-time low after failed loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich Town over the last two seasons, but some interest remains in the midfielder.
It was reported that Everton, Fulham, and Crystal Palace all have some interest in Phillips, but these clubs will certainly not match the £20m Man City are said to be looking for the Englishman.
The dream for Phillips would be to return to Leeds United; however, the Yorkshire club are not expected to make a move for the 29-year-old over the coming weeks, as they continue to strengthen for their Premier League return.
The Man City star’s career is clearly in limbo, which is a situation nobody would have expected when the midfielder moved to the Etihad Stadium in 2022, as three years later, the Manchester club are finding it close to impossible to move the Englishman on.