Kalvin Phillips remains a Manchester City player following the closure of the summer transfer window.
The 29-year-old was one of the most sought-after midfielders in English football following his 2021/22 season, which resulted in the Englishman completing a £45m move to Man City the summer after, signing a six-year deal.
The transfer has been a disaster for Phillips and his career, as the former Leeds star has barely played for the Manchester club, spending last season on loan with Ipswich Town and the second half of the campaign before at West Ham.
The Tractor Boys opted not to sign the player permanently this summer, and despite Man City beingopen to loan offers for Phillips, the midfielder has remained at the Etihad Stadium beyond the summer transfer window.
Kalvin Phillips training during the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023.
Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images
Kalvin Phillips to remain at Man City until January
Man City fans were not happy that Phillips remained at the club following the closing of the summer transfer window, but the midfielder’s situation is a complicated one.
The 29-year-old recently had surgery on an Achilles injury, which keeps him out of action for some time. This compromised any chance the Englishman had of a move because no club is going to want to sign the player in that condition.
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It would also have been a very bad look for Man City if they terminated his contract while he is recovering from surgery, with the plan now being to move the player on in January.
According to ESPN, despite the transfer window still being open in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, Phillips is set to stay at Man City until at least the winter transfer window as he continues to work his way back from his serious injury.
The expectation will be for Phillips to leave Man City then, but whether that is on loan or a permanent transfer remains to be seen.
Phillips had interest from Leeds over the summer, and if the Yorkshire club need support to stay up come January, that could be an option for the 29-year-old.
Stefan Ortega in action during Crystal Palace v Manchester City
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Stefan Ortega is still a Manchester City player
In addition to Phillips, another player who is not part of Pep Guardiola’s plan and remains at Manchester City beyond the summer transfer window is Stefan Ortega.
It was reported on deadline day that Ortega wanted to leave Man City, as the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma sees the German demoted to third-choice goalkeeper behind the Italian and James Trafford.
The 32-year-old may still move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia before their transfer windows close, but with Ortega already turning down a move to Fenerbahce, that seems unlikely.