Manchester City Have Identified Their Fernandinho Replacement

Manchester City are keen to replace the outgoing Fernandinho with Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, according to reports.

Phillips tops the list of potential replacements for the Brazilian, who heads back to Atletico Paraenense after nine years at the Etihad Stadium.

Leeds did set a £60m price tag for him last summer, and it’s likely to be around the same fee after they stayed in the Premier League on the final day of the season. It was previously reported that he’d be available for half of that figure if they had been relegated.

The England international has been a mainstay in the Leeds side that won promotion two seasons ago and was key in the Whites finishing ninth last season.

His serious injury issues this campaign have been a hindrance to both Jesse Marsch and his predecessor Marcelo Bielsa, showcasing the true impact of Phillips on the side as a whole.

Phillips has made 214 appearances for his hometown club since making his debut in 2014, scoring 13 times. He’s also been capped 19 times by England and formed a formidable defensive midfield partnership with Declan Rice.

Pep Guardiola and City will not only be attracted by Phillips’ ability, but his versatility. 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.