Juventus has initiated discussions with Manchester City regarding the potential acquisition of Kalvin Phillips as part of their efforts to bolster their midfield in the upcoming January transfer window.
City has communicated to Phillips that he is free to depart in January, whether through a permanent transfer or, more likely, a loan arrangement. Earlier this year, it was reported that Phillips had set a deadline until Christmas to convince Pep Guardiola of his future role at City. However, with that not materializing, the former Leeds player is now prepared to seek new opportunities.
Juventus has expressed longstanding interest in the English international and is actively exploring various options to secure his services. While the Serie A side prefers an initial loan arrangement, City is open to this but seeks a mandatory purchase clause. Alternatively, City is amenable to an option with triggers that could lead to a permanent transfer.
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The financial aspects of such a deal pose challenges, especially considering City values Phillips at £40 million, and he commands a relatively high wage. Juventus might face constraints on funds in January, although the potential suspension of Paul Pogba could alleviate any Financial Fair Play concerns if they are not responsible for his significant wages moving forward.
In addition to Phillips, Juventus is considering alternative targets, with sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli actively exploring various options. While Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg remains a player Juventus admires, securing a deal with Tottenham Hotspur appears challenging. Other players on Giuntoli’s radar include Teun Koopmeiners, Rodrigo De Paul, Manu Kone, Georgiy Sudakov, and Khephren Thuram.