Aston Villa could reportedly make a move for Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips in the January transfer window if playmaker Douglas Luiz leaves the club.
According to journalist Neil Moxley (via GIVEMESPORT), Aston Villa could decide to launch a transfer pursuit for out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips in the January transfer window should vital cog Douglas Luiz be lured away from Villa Park amid interest from Premier League rivals.
It looks set to be a busy winter transfer window at Villa Park, as Unai Emery’s high-flying side looks to bolster their Champions League prospects while also aiming to fend off interest in their best performers. One of them is Luiz, who is enjoying another stellar campaign in the West Midlands.
And although Luiz has been playing in the pivot for Villa over the past four seasons, it’s his attacking contributions that are really now hitting the headlines.
As well as his renowned set-piece deliveries, Luiz is timing his arrival around the box quite perfectly. The Brazil international has started all 13 of Villa’s Premier League games this term, scoring five goals. He notched six throughout the entire 2022–2023 season and is on course to smash that number this time around.
With his stock clearly on the rise, it is no surprise that clubs have become interested. Treble-winners Manchester City look set to go head-to-head with Arsenal after a report linked them with a winter swoop for the Aston Villa midfielder.
As per journalist Moxley, the Villans would look to bring Manchester City fringe star Kalvin Phillips if star man Luiz leaves for greener pastures in January.
Phillips was a £42 million signing from Leeds United back in the summer of 2022. The holding midfielder was a regular England starter at the time, and it was expected that he would challenge Rodri for starts in Manchester City’s engine room. However, Phillips’ career at the Etihad remains stuck in second gear.
His entire time with the club to date has produced just 808 minutes of action on the field. And with the January transfer window now fast approaching, it’s understood that the England international now has a big decision to make about his City future.
With the European Championships around the corner in the summer too, and with Phillips battling it out for a spot in Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad, a move away from the Etihad could be what he needs to rebuild his career.
Aston Villa, who will be competing in Europe after the turn of the year, could provide Phillips with a destination that is not too much of a step-down, while also acting as a place where he will get plenty of first-team minutes.