Newcastle United make 'first steps' towards signing top January target as Tottenham 'consider' bid

Newcastle United are expected to be in the market for a central midfielder in the January transfer window as they react to the long-term suspension of midfielder Sandro Tonali. The Magpies currently have the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and youngster Lewis Miley in their starting squad, while Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson will hope to break back into the line-up after injury.

However, with Newcastle often playing three central midfielders it is thought that they will make a move for yet another central player to help them with the demands of operating on both the European and domestic stage.

Since the news of Tonali’s suspension in October, the Toon Army have been heavily linked with a move for out-of-favour Manchester City and England international Kalvin Phillips. Phillips has struggled for game time since his move to Man City and he could be looking to depart in the winter if he wants a chance of securing his place in Gareth Southgate's England squad. 

Overall, the 28-year-old has played a combined total of 89 minutes in the Premier League this season, across 14 matches with all four of his appearances coming from the subs bench. The year prior to that, he featured in just 12 league matches across the season, with nearly all of those coming from the bench.

Phillips was previously imperative to the Leeds United team which won promotion and survived in the Premier League in 2020, and it is widely reported that Newcastle have taken steps towards signing the player in January in a move which could potentially revitalise the midfielder’s career.

Italian sports journalist Rudy Galetti posted on X: “Newcastle are taking the first steps to sign Kalvin Phillips in Jan. NUFC consider the player a main target: with a suitable offer, Man City could let him go. Tottenham are still monitoring him, but to date is not a priority: first of all, #THFC need a striker."

While Guardiola did not directly mention Phillips, he did add further fuel to the speculation of a move by claiming he would be happy to sell a player to a direct rival if the deal was right.

In November, he said: "From my point of view, I have said this to the club many times. I give my opinion to the club and they decide if the transfer suits for both sides and the player. Why? I think that means you are a small club [if you block a transfer]. Big clubs, they don’t care. They make decisions for the benefit of all three parties, players and both clubs — and the agents sometimes. So really it is not a problem.‌”

Guardiola’s confidence in his team could hand Newcastle a vital boost in the race to sign Phillips, if that is indeed the transfer that they choose to pursue.