According to sources at Football Insider, the reigning Premier League champions are looking to offload the 28-year-old midfielder for a fee between £30m-£40m, with Leeds United rumored to be interested in rescuing him from his troubles at Manchester.
After leaving Leeds in 2022 for a lucrative move to Man City, Phillips has struggled to find his place in the squad under Pep Guardiola, leading to a loan spell at West Ham where he has also faced difficulties. Despite David Moyes’ admiration for the England star, it seems unlikely that the Hammers will make his move permanent, leaving his future uncertain as the summer transfer window approaches.
One significant hurdle in acquiring Phillips will be his hefty £150,000-per-week wages at Man City, which may necessitate a wage cut for any potential suitors. This, combined with a substantial transfer fee, makes signing the underperforming player a challenging task for interested clubs.
While it remains unclear which other teams are eyeing Phillips, a return to Leeds would undoubtedly be a heartwarming story for fans. However, the success of this move hinges on Leeds’ ability to secure promotion back to the Premier League.
