A general view of Newcastle United supporters waiting outside the stadium for news of the latest developments in the sale of the club to the Saudi sovereign wealth fund for 300 million-pound ($408 million) takeover in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England Thursday Oct. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
During the January transfer window, Newcastle United hopes to sign Manchester City defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
Summer commitment Newcastle are looking for quality replacements after Sandro Tonali was suspended for his involvement in an illegal betting scandal. Phillips has struggled to find consistent playing time at Manchester City, and a move to Newcastle would be ideal for him.
He would be able to resurrect his career with regular football at Newcastle, and the Magpies would gain a quality replacement for Tonali. Newcastle consider the England international to be their main target heading into the January transfer window, according to Rudy Galetti, and Manchester City are willing to sell him for a suitable offer.
Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in the 27-year-old midfielder, but they will prioritize the signing of a quality striker first.
Phillips has previously demonstrated his quality in the Premier League with Leeds United, and if Newcastle can secure his signature, he could prove to be a valuable acquisition. If he can regain his form and confidence, he could be an important player for them.
The England international will want to perform well in the second half of the season in order to cement his place in the England starting lineup for the European Championships next summer.
Tottenham Hotspur may need to sign a quality replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who has been linked with a move away from the club in January. The Danish international has fallen down the pecking order at the North London club and needs to move on if he wants to play regularly.
Phillips would be an excellent replacement for Hojbjerg and a good stylistic fit for Tottenham. He has experience playing in a free-flowing attacking system under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, and he should be able to adapt to Tottenham’s approach as well.
