Barcelona faces financial challenges but is keen on acquiring Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips
Kalvin Phillips has emerged as a potential target for FC Barcelona in the current winter transfer market, despite financial constraints related to fair play regulations. According to Fernando Polo and Roger Torello from Mundo Deportivo, the 28-year-old English midfielder from Manchester City has garnered interest from Barcelona’s sports director, Deco, who is keen on securing his arrival before the January 31 registration deadline. However, the Barcelona sports department acknowledges the challenges in making the deal happen, though ruling it out is not on the table at this point.
Several factors contribute to Barcelona’s interest in Phillips. The midfielder is determined to leave Manchester City due to a lack of playing time under Pep Guardiola, featuring in only four Premier League games as a substitute and making one start in the Champions League group stage. Guardiola has committed to facilitating Phillips’ exit in January, aligning with the player’s desire for more minutes as he aspires to participate in the European Championship with the English national team.
Phillips, primarily a defensive midfielder, fits the profile sought by Deco, addressing Barcelona’s deficiency in that position. With limited options like Oriol Romeu, who isn’t consistently fielded by manager Xavi Hernández, Barcelona sees Phillips as a valuable addition. The complexity of the potential transfer lies in negotiations, requiring Phillips to reduce his salary to accommodate Barcelona’s limited financial space. The English club would also need to accept a favorable loan deal for Barcelona, a scenario reminiscent of Phillips’ loan move to Joao Cancelo last summer, undertaken without any financial burden on Barcelona.
Despite Barcelona’s interest, competition for Phillips has intensified, with Juventus, Newcastle, and West Ham expressing interest, adding pressure in recent hours. Phillips, eager to finalize the deal swiftly, contrasts with Barcelona’s ongoing efforts to manage their wage bill through various player transactions, including Jean-Clair Todibo’s potential transfer, which could bring a financial boost to the club.
