Newcastle United dealt blow in Kalvin Phillips race as Manchester City name hefty asking price

Newcastle United must stump up £40million to sign Kalvin Phillips permanently this summer, according to reports. That would be on top of a rumoured £7.5million loan fee should the Magpies choose to sign the midfielder temporarily before splashing the cash. It is understood that Manchester City are open to offers for Phillips, who arrived at the Etihad 18 months ago.

The England international is yet to start a Premier League game in 2023-24 and has been deemed surplus to requirements by Pep Guardiola. A window of opportunity arose given Kevin De Bruyne’s injury and Ilkay Gundogan’s exit but Phillips has still struggled to get a game.

Newcastle were one of the clubs expressing interest in the 28-year-old when he left Leeds United. As it happened, City bolstered their squad by signing a midfielder named England Player of the Year in 2021. His reputation was enhanced during Euro 2020, with Phillips instrumental in helping the Three Lions reach the final. Injuries have hindered his progress since but that has not resulted in Man City lowering their demands.

A report from iNews claims Etihad chiefs will demand £40million for the midfielder in the summer - just £5million less than they paid Leeds 18 months ago. Phillips signed a six-year contract at City and they are aiming to recoup the bulk of their investment.

Newcastle World understands the Magpies are willing to negotiate a loan move this month but want the fee incorporated as part of a potential permanent package. Everton and West Ham United are other Premier League clubs monitoring the situation, as well as Serie A giants Juventus.

Guardiola told reporters in November that he has no issues selling to rival top-flight clubs, with Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus leaving in recent times. While Phillips could follow suit, any suggestion Newcastle can land him on the cheap will likely fall on deaf ears.