‘Amazing’ Newcastle United transfer target once sold by Leeds told to ‘get out’ of current club

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman has told Newcastle United transfer target Kalvin Phillips to “get out” of Manchester City.

Phillips has made just five starts since joining from Leeds United for £42million last year with reports suggesting he’ll push for a move in January if his game time doesn’t improve.

Newcastle considered a move for the 27-year-old in the summer and could reignite their interest this winter following news of Sandro Tonali’s 10-month ban for illegal betting activity.

And Phillips has been advised by McManaman to leave the Etihad Stadium in order to guarantee a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad.

“You have to play for your club if you’re going to play for your country,” McManaman told Betfred. “If Manchester City get three injuries, Kalvin gets in the team and plays continuously between now and the end of the season, then of course he can start for England at Euro 2024, but he needs to guarantee game time for himself.

“If Pep Guardiola is playing Rico Lewis, who’s a right-back, in the centre of midfield instead of Kalvin, then unfortunately that speaks for itself.

“He has to get out, he has to play football, he has to impress and he has to show everyone what an amazing footballer he is. If he can do that, then he could be in England’s starting eleven at Euro 2024.”

Phillips started England’s most recent game against Italy and hinted at a potential exit.

He said: “I know that I need to be playing games and competing every weekend.

“I’m going to have to make a decision on [my future] over the next months. He [Gareth Southgate] just says that for me to keep my spot I have to be playing games. That’s what I want to do. I have agreed with Gareth on that.

“I want to play football and want to play as much as possible. Over the last year and a half, I haven’t been able to do that due to injuries and [other factors]. It’s something I am going to have to think about. Hopefully, my chance does come but if it doesn’t then I will have to make other decisions as well.”