Club ‘pulls out’ of transfer race for Kalvin Phillips plus more Man City rumours

Juventus have reportedly withdrawn from the race to sign Kalvin Phillips due to the potential cost of a loan deal.

The Italians are after a midfielder with Nicolo Fagioli and Paul Pogba suspended due to respective betting and doping bans. Juventus are not in a position to afford a permanent deal and will welcome back Fagioli later this year anyway.

The Sun says Manchester City are likely to demand a loan fee for Phillips in January, perhaps as much as £5m, ahead of a potential sale in the summer. Juventus were hoping to convince City to pay most of the player’s wages but seemingly to no avail.

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The Blues are reportedly set to ask any potential suitor to agree to a £40m summer obligatory transfer. The report puts Newcastle as frontrunners for Phillips, who have also lost Sandro Tonali for a betting ban.

Eddie Howe has frequently outlined how Financial Fair Play will restrict his club’s spending this window, and officials are cautious of overpaying for a loan. The Magpies would have more money to splash in the summer but it is uncertain whether they want Phillips permanently with Tonali due back next season.

Crystal Palace and Fulham have been linked with holding an interest in the 28-year-old, who has played just 10 times all season ahead of England’s Euro 2024 squad selection.

Meanwhile, The Athletic says it is almost certain that Wolves will trigger Tommy Doyle’s buy-out clause in his loan deal. The midfielder lashed home his first goal for the Midlanders in Friday’s FA Cup draw with Brentford. Doyle, who has tallied 14 outings this season, would cost Wolves £4.3m.

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