Man City
Mick Brown
Sun 23 March 2025 18:52, UK
Kalvin Phillips is eager to re-join Leeds United as he eyes a permanent departure from Man City in the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 29-year-old would benefit from the support and love of the Elland Road crowd.
Phillips is no longer a part of Pep Guardiola’s plans for his Man City squad and they would be prepared to let him leave on a cut-price deal.
The midfielder’s contract will have three years remaining come the end of the season, but City are keen to clear his wages from the books.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 17 March that Phillips is pushing for a return to Leeds as part of their ambitious summer transfer plans.
Daniel Farke’s side are currently top of the Championship, two points ahead of third-placed Burnley, and a move for Phillips will hinge on achieving promotion to the Premier League.
Kalvin Phillips has spent the season on loan at Ipswich Town
Kalvin Phillips looks set to leave Man City this summer. (Credit: Imago)
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Man City to let Kalvin Phillips go after Leeds United claim
Phillips has endured two mixed loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich Town in the last two seasons, cementing City’s position that he is no longer a part of their plans.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that a return to Elland Road would be the best outcome for all parties this summer.
“His career has been a travesty, really,” he told Football Insider.
“It’s gone downhill from the day he left Leeds, now he’s failed City, failed at West Ham and he’s been inconsistent since he went to Ipswich.
“You have to wonder how a player who was an England regular can suddenly struggle to this extent.
“From what I hear, Phillips wants to go back to Leeds this summer, he doesn’t want to be at City.
“And I think that move would be in the best interests of himself and his career.
“It would be the last roll of the dice for him, but he’d be going back to a place where he’s comfortable, where he was brought up and a place that he knows.
“I have no doubt he’d have the love and support of the crowd there, which would be great for his confidence.
“He could definitely still do a job for them – you don’t become a bad player overnight.
“Whether Leeds can pull it off will depend on if they get promoted to the Premier League, because it’s going to cost a fair bit of money.
“I expect City will let him go for a reduced fee, they don’t want to keep paying his wages and having him at the club doing nothing.
“He’s never going to be part of Pep Guardiola’s plans, so it’s best for all parties that he moves on.”
Man City
Pep Guardiola is eyeing an overhaul of his Man City squad. (Credit: Getty Images)
Eduardo Camavinga update emerges after Ancelotti twist
Phillips’ likely departure from the Etihad is expected to free up wages and space in the squad for incoming signings as Guardiola eyes a midfield reshuffle.
Uncertainty over the futures of Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan have forced City to consider their options – among which is Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga.
Brown told Football Insider on 18 March that Camavinga is open to joining Man City amid concerns about his place in the Madrid squad.
However, the deal could hinge on the future of Carlo Ancelotti amid whispers the Real Madrid boss could step down at the end of the season.
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