In the midst of swirling transfer gossip, Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips finds himself at a crossroads. The 28-year-old, who joined City in a £42 million move from Leeds in 2022, has struggled to secure regular first-team minutes. Now, Phillips is eyeing a move to Juventus or Newcastle, but he wants a guarantee of playing time before making a decision.
The Telegraph reports that Phillips is seeking assurances regarding his playing time as he contemplates his destination in the upcoming winter transfer window. With the hope of re-establishing himself in England manager Gareth Southgate’s plans ahead of Euro 2024, regular minutes on the pitch have become crucial for Phillips. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed sympathy for the midfielder, acknowledging his lack of involvement in the team’s plans. So far this season, Phillips has only appeared in 89 Premier League minutes.
Meanwhile, Everton has attached a staggering £100 million price tag to defender Jarrad Branthwaite, according to the i. This remarkable valuation has caught the attention of Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, and Tottenham, who have all been impressed by the young Englishman. However, Everton is determined not to let Branthwaite go, as they aim to retain his services. The £100 million fee, which would also benefit Branthwaite’s former club Carlisle with a 10% share, would set a world record for a defender.
Chelsea is reportedly willing to entertain the idea of a bid for Conor Gallagher, as speculated by TEAMtalk. Manager Mauricio Pochettino is reluctant to let Gallagher leave, especially considering his leadership while wearing the armband in Reece James’ absence. Yet, circumstances beyond Pochettino’s control may force the club’s hand. According to sources, Chelsea’s owners are open to accepting an offer for Gallagher if it benefits their plans for prospective arrivals. The potential deal for Gallagher could amount to £50 million.
RB Leipzig is on the verge of securing a deal for Napoli midfielder Eljif Elmas, reports Fabrizio Romano. The Bundesliga side has reportedly submitted a bid of €25 million for the 24-year-old North Macedonian international. Elmas, who signed for Napoli in 2019 for €16 million, is open to a move to Germany. The completion of his transfer to RB Leipzig is anticipated within the week.
Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek has completed his medical with Eintracht Frankfurt ahead of a loan move, as reported by Florian Plettenburg. Since his £40 million move from Ajax in 2020, the Dutch midfielder has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League, featuring in only two substitute appearances this season. The medical examination raised no concerns, and it is believed that Frankfurt will have the option to make the loan deal permanent for £13 million in the summer.
Chelsea is preparing an opening bid for 18-year-old FC Copenhagen winger Roony Bardghji, as per reports from Ekrem Konur. Bardghji, who netted a goal in Copenhagen’s dramatic 4-3 UEFA Champions League victory over Manchester United last month, has emerged as one of Europe’s most sought-after young players. With Copenhagen reportedly willing to sell Bardghji, Chelsea is poised to submit an offer after expressing interest in the promising Swedish forward for several months.
As the winter transfer window looms, these potential moves and shifting dynamics bring intrigue and excitement to football fans around the world. Only time will tell which transfers materialize and how they will impact the fortunes of the clubs involved.