PSG clash a 'defining moment', says Newcastle's Eddie Howe
Newcastle have reportedly set their sights on Manchester City’s forgotten man Kalvin Phillips in January after being turned down by Ruben Neves. Eddie Howe has been searching for a new midfielder after £55million summer signing Sandro Tonali was suspended for 10 months in October for breaching betting rules.
Ex-Wolves star Neves moved to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal at the end of last season but was linked with a loan to Newcastle, who share the same owners with Al-Hilal and three other Saudi Pro League teams. The Premier League even had a vote to ban cross-party loans, but the motion did not pass and legally they were allowed to sign Neves.
However, the Portuguese playmaker opted against the switch to St James’ Park and insisted he was happy in the Middle East. This has forced the Magpies to look elsewhere, with England man Phillips seemingly top of the newly drawn-up shortlist.
The Mirror claim that Phillips is now the priority January target for Newcastle. City are willing to let him leave on loan with the view to a permanent deal at the end of the season, which could suit Newcastle and their short-term need for midfield reinforcements.
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They will face fierce competition for his signature though as Tottenham are one of several Premier League teams who have been linked with the former Leeds star. He has rarely featured under Pep Guardiola since making the move to the Etihad last year, with his national team spot on the line ahead of Euro 2024.
“I know that I need to be playing games and competing every weekend,” Phillips said in October. “I’m going to have to make a decision on [my future] over the next months. He [Gareth Southgate] just says that for me to keep my spot I have to be playing games.
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“That’s what I want to do. I have agreed with Gareth on that. Obviously it’s massive [to start]. As a football player especially me, I’m very competitive. But I want to play football, I’m a footballer, I want to play as much football as possible.
“Over the last year and a half I haven’t been able to do to that. Due to injuries and etcetera. But it’s something that I’m going to have to think about and hopefully my chance does come. But if it doesn’t then I’ve got to make a couple of decisions as well.”
Phillips’ chances of being a regular starter could come with Newcastle, who are also eyeing a £20million move for Sao Paulo centre-back Lucas Beraldo. They will face competition from the likes of Liverpool, West Ham and Brentford for the Brazilian youth international, however.
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