The newly–crowned Premier League champions are hoping to sign Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Marc Cucurella in the upcoming transfer window. Earlier, the Citizens have already signed Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez Borussia Dortmund and from River Plate, respectively
Among their priorities is replacing the outgoing Fernandinho, Pep Guardiola’s commander-in-chief at the base of midfield, who announced earlier this year that his chapter at the Etihad would close this summer after several successful campaigns.
As per The Athletic, the Premier League champions are eyeing Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips for that position. A revelation for Leeds in their seasons under Marcelo Bielsa and now a fully-fledged England international, Phillips has two years remaining on his contract at Elland Road.
That, combined with the fact that the Whites survived relegation on the final day of the 2021/22 season, means that the central midfielder won’t come cheap. Transfermarkt values the Englishman at 50 million euros.
Phillips came up through the Leeds youth ranks before joining the first team in 2014. But, it wasn’t until Bielsa’s arrival in 2018 that the now England international broke onto the scene. The midfielder trained and was subsequently deployed as a deep-lying playmaker by the tactician, a position he has made his own for both Leeds and the England NT since.
With the central defensive midfield position covered, City will likely move to strengthen their left-back slots. Benjamin Mendy’s continued absence due to the ongoing police case has left the Citizens short of options on the left side of their defence, with Joao Cancelo often playing as the makeshift left-back – albeit to great effect.
City, as per the report, are targeting Brighton and Hove Albion’s Marc Cucurella, who only moved to the South Coast last summer, to add to their ranks. The Spaniard joined the Seagulls in an 18 million deal the season before and was a permanent fixture in their defence, eventually winning the club’s player of the season award.
Transfermarkt values Cucurella at 20 million, but the report claims that Brighton won’t let go of their prized asset without a fight.
