Newcastle United are looking to sign a midfielder as they prepare for a possible suspension of Sandro Tonali.
Newcastle United are said to be in negotiations with out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips in order to find a replacement for summer signing Sandro Tonali.
Tonali is now being investigated by the Italian Prosecutor’s Office and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for illegal betting activity. Newcastle is rooting for the player and waiting for more information on a possible conclusion. Tonali is free to play for the club and is eligible for the match against Crystal Palace while his case is heard.
According to TeamTalk, Newcastle’s Sporting Director Dan Ashworth is driving the drive to bring in urgent cover to replace their record signing, and a meeting has already taken place between Ashworth and Phillips’ agency CAA Stellar. Phillips has struggled for first-team action since joining Manchester City last summer, appearing in just 15 Premier League games since August 2022.
The 27-year-old’s angst has grown in recent weeks after he was benched for a vital game against Arsenal. Phillips lamented on his lack of playing time after England’s international match against Italy. “As a football player, you always want to be playing, and I want to be playing as much as possible, but I haven’t done that in a year and a half,” he explained. I always try to be prepared for anything comes my way. I want minutes and to attend the Euros. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.
Gareth Southgate has stated that Phillips must play first team football in order to qualify for the Euros. He went on to say: “Ideally, we would love to have everyone playing regularly.”
Phillips’ current contract with Manchester City runs until the summer of 2027, but a number of clubs, including Newcastle, Everton, and Bayern Munich, have expressed interest. In his most recent interview, Pep Guardiola did not rule out a move for Phillips. “Not a conversation I’ve had,” he remarked. The transfer window is closed, and we are all here together. When we need a game that involves transitions or chaos, Kalvin is ideal. He’ll stay here till winter, and I’m not sure what will happen with Kalvin after that with more or any players.
What would Kalvin Phillips bring to Newcastle United?
Kalvin Phillips has faced injury issues in the past 18 months and has had limited appearances for Manchester City. Nevertheless, he continues to be a prominent member of Gareth Southgate’s England squad and regularly finds himself on the Three Lions’ roster. In 2020, Phillips earned Southgate’s trust thanks to his impressive performances at Leeds United under Marcelo Bielsa.
Phillips played a crucial role in Leeds’ Championship title victory and remained an asset during their first two seasons in the Premier League, helping them avoid relegation. At the 2021 European Championships, he established himself as a dependable presence for England, contributing to their historic journey to the Euro final. Phillips was lauded for his ability to disrupt the opposition’s play and control the midfield, which allowed more attacking players like Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, and Harry Kane to shine.
His midfield role resembles that of Tonali, and if he were to join, it could catalyze Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes to push forward more and put pressure on the opposing team. Known for his remarkable energy levels and stamina developed under the high-intensity Bielsa system, Phillips’ experience could be invaluable to Newcastle as they navigate the demands of European and Premier League football and manage squad rotations.
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