Sheffield United have launched a surprise loan move for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
The Championship side are working on a deal to sign the former England international before Monday’s 19:00 GMT deadline.
The 30-year-old’s one and only appearance this season came in the final seven minutes of City’s Carabao Cup win against Huddersfield in September.
Phillips – who joined Pep Guardiola’s men from boyhood club Leeds United in 2022 in a deal worth £45m – has previously been loaned out to Ipswich Town and West Ham United.
In December 2022, Guardiola slammed the midfielder for returning from the World Cup “overweight” and “not in the right condition to train”.
Phillips has made 32 appearances for Manchester City and was part of the side that won a historic Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup Treble in 2023.
How did Phillips fall out of favour at Man City?
- June 2021:Â Following an impressive debut season in the Premier League, Phillips is named in England’s squad for Euro 2020.
- September 2021:Â Starts all seven games at the Euros and is later named England’s Player of the Year for 2021.
- July 2022: The England international leaves boyhood club Leeds United to join Manchester City on a six-year contract in a deal worth £45m.
- September 2022:Â Phillips’ first few months at the Etihad are hampered by a shoulder injury – sidelining him for two months.
- November 2022:Â Named in England’s 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
- December 2022:Â After Phillips returns from the World Cup in Qatar, Pep Guardiola says the midfielder was “overweight” and “not in the condition” to train or play.
- January 2023:Â Six months after signing for City, Phillips makes his first start for the club in a 2-0 defeat by Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.
- June 2023:Â Finishes his first season at the club as a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup Treble winner despite playing less than 600 minutes.
- January 2024:Â Phillips joins West Ham on a six-month loan deal.
- February 2024:Â Guardiola issues an apology to the midfielder for comments about his weight in December 2022.
- March 2024:Â Phillips is caught on camera swearing at West Ham supporters after conceding a penalty in a 4-3 defeat by Newcastle United.
- August 2024:Â Joins newly promoted Ipswich Town on a season-long loan.
- May 2025:Â Ipswich and Phillips are relegated to the Championship.
- September 2025:Â Plays for Manchester City for the first time in 645 days in a Carabao Cup tie at Huddersfield Town.
- January 2026:Â In talks over a loan deal to Championship club Sheffield United.
