Pep Guardiola’s side are interested in replacing Fernandinho with Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, according to reports.
Phillips is the most likely replacement for the Brazilian, who will return to Atletico Paranense after nine years at the Etihad.
Last summer, Leeds set a £60 million price tag on him, and it’s likely to be around that figure now that they’ve stayed in the Premier League until the end of the season. If they were relegated, it was previously reported that he’d be available for half that amount.
The England international was a key member of the Leeds United team that won promotion two seasons ago and finished ninth last season.
Both Jesse Marsch and Marcelo Bielsa have been hampered by his serious injury issues this season, highlighting Phillips’ true impact on the team as a whole.
Since his debut in 2014, Phillips has made 214 appearances for his hometown club, scoring 13 goals. He’s also been capped 19 times by England, and he and Declan Rice formed a formidable defensive midfield partnership.
Phillips’ ability, as well as his versatility, will appeal to Pep Guardiola and City. He was converted to a defensive midfielder by Bielsa, but it is also thought he could fill a more advanced role in midfield alongside Bernardo Silva or Kevin de Bruyne.
City will need to fill Fernandinho’s void, and will continue to look for players despite the already confirmed arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez – as Raheem Sterling could potentially be leaving the club.