Manchester City are reportedly confident of agreeing a deal with Leeds United for Kalvin Phillips.
The Premier League champions believe somewhere between £45m and £50m would be enough to tempt the Whites into accepting the deal. The Athletic also report that the player would ‘push’ for the switch if an offer came in.
This is supported by Football Insider, who claim that Phillips has told Leeds he wants to leave for City. Pep Guardiola is on the hunt for competition for Rodri with Fernandinho leaving this summer.
READ MORE: Two Man City players can lead Southgate's England revival after Hungary humiliation
City have been chasing Phillips for a number of months with internal discussions over a bid said to have stepped up a gear in April upon Fernandinho announcing his exit. The England international has a relegation clause in his contract, according to The Athletic's report.
Leeds’ survival means a harder and more costly pursuit of the midfielder. The club are eager to not let both Phillips and Raphinha leave this summer.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports report that Borussia Monchengladbach have entered the race for Ko Itakura. The Japan international has failed to earn a first-team appearance at City since his 2019 arrival.
He has enjoyed loan spells at FC Groningen and Schalke, and is set to leave the Etihad this summer with 12 months left on his deal. Celtic also hold an interest in the 25-year-old centre-back.
Sign up to our City newsletter so you never miss an update from the Etihad Stadium this season.
