Kalvin Phillips left Manchester City on loan last month as expected – and a report has now shed some light on why he did not ultimately sign for Barcelona.
The midfielder departed City after a severe lack of minutes at the Etihad, which was a continuation from last season.
Pep Guardiola just didn’t trust the player, and handed him just 10 appearances, mostly as a substitute.
Kalvin Phillips was always going to leave, it was just a case of where he would go. There were plenty of clubs keen on him before he ultimately completed a switch to West Ham United.
One such club was Barcelona, and a report has now lifted the lid on why he didn’t join Pep Guardiola’s former club…
Barcelona could only sign Kalvin Phillips if there was no loan fee demand from Man City
Barcelona were something of a surprise horse in the race for Phillips last month.
It had been mostly English clubs linked with him, with Newcastle United – whose striker Callum Wilson recently called Phillips ‘top quality’ – the early favourites for his signature. Juventus were also reported to be quite keen.
But Barcelona were also eventually mentioned.
Ultimately, the Spanish club just couldn’t afford a deal. According to SPORT, while Phillips was keen on the idea of playing the rest of the season at Barca, the club could only sign the player if there was no loan fee involved.
A free loan was something City ‘were initially not willing to accept so as not to repeat a new Joao Cancelo case with the Blaugrana’.
In the end, City secured a loan fee from West Ham of around £5-6 million, according to talkSPORT.
Phillips staying in the Premier League was best move for him
Phillips has not had a good start at West Ham, but it was probably important for him to remain in the Premier League.
Phillips’ status in the England national team has diminished since the 2022 World Cup, and we’re at a point now where his place in the squad could be in jeopardy ahead of Euro 2024.
Realistically the £150,000-a-week man needed to be playing regularly for a decent Premier League team in order to stay as visible as possible for Gareth Southgate.
It’s a particularly good move for Phillips because David Moyes has apparently admitted the player for years, so he is likely to give him the game time he needs.
