Two Premier League clubs chasing Man City star

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be hoping his side can overtake Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur when domestic football returns after the international break. 

The reigning champions were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal last time out and currently sit third in the table, two points behind Spurs.

After the international break, City will welcome high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion to The Etihad, before a trip to Switzerland in the Champions League group stages.

In the meantime, though, it appears that one of City’s midfielders is attracting significant interest from elsewhere.

According to I Sport, both Newcastle United and Everton are monitoring City star Kalvin Phillips.

The report claims that the England international is likely to leave Manchester when the transfer window reopens in January, ending his nightmare spell at The Etihad.

Phillips looks set to leave Manchester City in January

Phillips, 27, joined City from boyhood club Leeds United last summer but has scarcely featured for his current side.

In total the midfielder has played just 26 times across all competitions, including just five appearances so far this season.

During his time at Elland Road, Phillips made 234 appearances across all competitions and established himself as a regular in the England squad.

He has remained a regular for Gareth Southgate’s side, despite his severe lack of opportunities at club level.

The Englishman looked set for a spell in the first team when Rodri was sent off against Wolves last month, but Phillips has failed to start either of the two Premier League games that his Spanish teammate has missed through suspension.

Against Arsenal on Sunday, Guardiola opted to start youngster Rico Lewis in midfield, and also substituted central defender John Stones on as a makeshift midfielder, ahead of Phillips.

The former Whites man’s current contract with the Citizens is set to run until 2028, but it appears increasingly unlikely that he will remain in Manchester until the expiry of that deal.