Transfer Centre

Juventus 'harbour doubts over Kalvin Phillips move'

By Ben Sully | 04 November 2023

Italian giants Juventus reportedly have doubts over whether to pursue a January move for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

Juventus reportedly have doubts over a potential move for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

The Italian club are keen to strengthen in the middle of the park after seeing their midfield options affected by off-field issues.

Nicolo Fagioli was recently handed a seven-month ban and fined €12,500 after he admitted to gambling on football matches.

The 22-year-old's Juventus teammate Paul Pogba is also facing a lengthy suspension for testing positive for non-endogenous testosterone following August's win over Bologna.

Pogba was provisionally suspended pending counter-analysis and is now at risk of being handed a four-year ban from football.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri reacts on October 22, 2023 © Reuters

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri can still call upon the likes of Weston McKennie, Adrien Rabiot and Manuel Locatelli, but he is keen to recruit a new midfielder in the winter transfer window.

A recent report claimed that the Italian side had joined the race to sign Phillips, who is expected to leave Man City in the new year.

According to Calciomercato, the Juventus hierarchy are unsure whether the England international is the correct option for their side.

Although they are believed to be keeping tabs on the 27-year-old, they seemingly have doubts over a potential January move.

Even if a move to Turin fails to materialise, Phillips is still expected to depart in the winter transfer window as he seeks to gain regular playing time.

England's Kalvin Phillips celebrates after the match on October 13, 2023 © Reuters

Following his arrival from Leeds United in 2022, the Englishman started just four of his 21 appearances in his first season with Pep Guardiola's side.

Phillips has continued to find game time hard to come by in the opening few months of the current campaign, having featured in just six competitive matches this term.

With the likes of Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes and Bernardo Silva above him in the pecking order, it is unlikely that Phillips will be able to force his way into the side.

In addition to Juventus, he has been linked with Newcastle United, West Ham United, Arsenal, Everton and Bayern Munich.

Spanish giants Real Madrid have also been offered the chance to sign the midfielder, although they are unlikely to pursue a deal, partly due to the player's £50m valuation.