Ruthless Man City greenlight major sale, as Liverpool battle with Bayern Munich begins

Manchester City are happy to sell Kalvin Phillips just one year after arriving from Leeds, and reports suggest Liverpool must disrupt a long-term Bayern Munich plan if they’re to sign the England international.

Phillips, 27, has endured a nightmare stint since leaving Elland Road for the Etihad last year. Phillips cost £42m to sign, though failed to make a dent in Pep Guardiola’s plans last term. The imperious Rodri remained untouchable in the primary holding midfield role.

Concerns over the player’s fitness were publicly raised by Pep Guardiola. What’s more, when the Spaniard changed tactics and introduced his 3-2-4-1 formation, it was either John Stones or Rico Lewis most often chosen to partner Rodri in the engine room.

Phillips is no longer at the forefront of Gareth Southgate’s England plans either. The midfielder looks unlikely to reverse that trend unless featuring regularly at club level this season – something that looks a tall order if remaining at City.

Now, a fresh update from the Athletic claims Phillips’ Man City career may well be over after just one underwhelming season.

They state Man City ‘would be happy to sell’ and the final addition they’re eyeing will rubberstamp Phillips’ fate.

City have already bid £47m for Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes who the Athletic claim is wanted for the deeper midfield role. City are expected to thunder in with an improved offer, per the Telegraph.

That would then free up new signing Mateo Kovacic to line up further forward in the position usually held by Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian ace is currently sidelined with a serious hamstring injury.

Liverpool or Bayern for Phillips?

Regarding who could swoop for Phillips, two clubs are coming to the fore – Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

Liverpool remain on the lookout for another holding midfielder to complete their rebuild. talkSPORT recently reported Liverpool were considering an approach, while the Sun’s Alan Nixon also suggested it’s game over for Philips at City.

Bayern, meanwhile, have reportedly been eyeing Phillips up since the start of the summer window, per the Athletic.

The German giant reportedly formulated a plan to move for Phillips late in the window at the point when it would become clear to Phillips he has no future at his current club.

Philips’ intention has thus far been to stick it out at City and fight for his place. However, the Athletic suggest he’s beginning to realise he may need to move on for the benefit of his career.

Bayern’s masterplan could therefore be about to come full circle. However, if talkSPORT are correct, Liverpool will have a say in Phillips’ future.

Ironically enough, if Bayern were to move for Phillips it could embolden the club to cash in on Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutchman is another target on Liverpool’s radar.

PREM PREDICTIONS: Clean sweep for Man City; Newcastle too good for leaky Liverpool; Tottenham win again