Former Leeds star wanted by Newcastle United drops major transfer hint with 'goodbye' gesture

Kalvin Phillips has fuelled talk of a January move after celebrating his first goal for Manchester City in their 3-2 win against Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday night.

The England international was handed only his second start of the season for the Champions League visit to Serbia and was on hand to put his side 3-1 up from the penalty spot in the 85th minute.

And the midfielder's celebration prompted suggestions that Phillips was bidding farewell to the Man City fans as he could be seen waving and blowing kisses to the travelling supporters inside the Rajko Mitic Stadium.

Asked about the 28-year-old's future after the game, Pep Guardiola said: "I don't know what's going to happen. Now he's here and there are a lot of games until the end of January and hopefully he can help us."

Indeed, Phillips is expected to depart the Etihad Stadium next month Guardiola publicly apologised to the player for his lack of game time.

Since arriving from Leeds United for £42million last summer, Phillips has started just two Premier League games.

"I don't know what will happen," Guardiola said previously. "I feel so sorry for my decisions for him, I said many times. He doesn’t deserve not to give him minutes.

"I'm so sorry. It’s him I am asking for good personality, good character, thinking about the end. This is a perfect example. After that I have to give him something, I didn’t do that. It’s just because I visualise something, I visualise the team and things, I struggle a little bit to see him, that’s all.

"It’s not because I am not pleased. I feel so sorry for him. It's a business, in the end I have to act professional. When I act… winning is a good decision and when we don’t win it is a bad decision.

"But when a young guy behaves [badly], I don't care. The way he behaves with his mates, I care. Hopefully, he can turn around and I have said many times, I don’t know what will happen in January. If he stays I am more than pleased because he trains really good and he is a lovely guy."

Newcastle are considering signing a midfielder as a replacement for Sandro Tonali, who is suspended from football until August 2024 after being found guilty of illegal betting activity.

Eddie Howe on a loan deal but the Newcastle head coach, on Tuesday, denied rumours that Phillips is set to sign. Providing a three-word response, Howe said" “That isn’t correct.”