Dan Friedkin may buy Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City this summer, but it does not guarantee he will join Everton. GiveMeSport claimed on July 2 that Friedkin is interested in signing the England midfielder, but for Roma, the Italian club he owns, rather than the Toffees.
The Blues have been heavily connected with the 28-year-old since it became evident he had no future at Manchester City, but with Friedkin’s ownership of the club still pending, his other side could swoop in. Phillips’ departure from the Etihad Stadium is imminent following a bungled loan transfer to West Ham, but it remains to be known which of Friedkin’s two clubs, if either, he will join this summer [La Repubblica, 22 June]. Everton hope Dan Friedkin doesn’t fast-track Kalvin Phillips’ transfer. Toffees fans will argue that, considering their different league finishes last season, they require a player of Phillips’ caliber considerably more than Roma does this summer.
Everton’s two point punishments for Profit and Sustainability violations kept them in a relegation race for much of the season before they finished comfortably ahead, but such disparities should hopefully be a thing of the past once Friedkin takes over. The US billionaire has owned Roma since 2020, and while his takeover at Goodison Park has yet to be officially registered, his share purchase agreement with Farhad Moshiri may soon be approved [Gazzetta dello Sport, 15 June]. Sean Dyche is a great fan of Phillips, as is Roma boss Daniele De Rossi, so the choice could come down to the player himself, who may believe a transfer abroad would be helpful.
However, the final decision will undoubtedly be Friedkin’s; he must decide if he wants to make a headline signing during his first summer in command at Goodison Park, or continue the existing approach he and De Rossi are developing in the Italian capital [Daily Mail, June 20].
