Exclusive: Everton and Leeds Battle to Sign Manchester City Midfielder Kalvin Phillips

Everton and Leeds are set to go head-to-head in a fiery January transfer battle for unsettled Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, with both clubs plotting a £10-15million move to rescue the forgotten England star, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Phillips, 30, is desperate to resurrect his Premier League career after becoming a fringe figure at the Etihad, having managed just one cup appearance all season under Pep Guardiola.

Once one of England’s most trusted midfield generals, Phillips believes he still has plenty left to give at the top level, and is ready to quit City in search of regular football, with both the Toffees and Whites lining up to bring him back from the cold.

The former England international joined City from Leeds in the summer of 2022, signing a six-year contract running until 2028, but his time in Manchester has failed to live up to expectations amid injuries and fierce competition for places.

And our sources have learnt City are willing to listen to offers in the upcoming window, with a permanent deal now favoured over yet another loan move, after frustrating spells away from Manchester.

TOUGH-TACKLING

Everton boss David Moyes is a huge admirer of the tough-tackling midfielder and sees him as the perfect man to add steel, leadership and experience to his engine room as the Toffees battle to climb the Premier League table.

Moyes is convinced Phillips can rediscover the form that once made him one of the most feared midfielders in the country, and is pushing hard for the club to back him in January.

But standing in Everton’s way are Leeds United, where Phillips remains a cult hero after spending more than a decade at Elland Road.

A return to Leeds would be a deeply emotional homecoming for the hometown lad, who rose from academy hopeful to England international while wearing white.

MISSING PIECE

Leeds boss Daniel Farke is also a big fan, believing Phillips could be the missing piece in his side’s promotion push, bringing bite, balance and big-game know-how to the Championship hopefuls.

Phillips made over 230 appearances for Leeds, helping fire them back into the Premier League and becoming one of the most popular players of the modern era at the club.

Since moving to City in a £42m deal, however, his career has stalled badly, with limited game time stalling his momentum.

Now, with his England future fading fast, Phillips knows this January could be make-or-break if ever wants to play international football again.

A fee in the region of £10-15m is expected to tempt City into cashing in, with both Everton and Leeds ready to move quickly once the window opens.

While a return to Leeds would be a romantic homecoming for Phillips, Everton are also being linked with a blockbuster move for one of their all-time great forwards, Romelu Lukaku.