Bayern Munich Hunts Manchester City Midfielder, Kalvin Phillips

Kalvin Phillips is in demand by Bayern Munich coach, Thomas Tuchel. (photo: Twitter @Kalvinphillips)

Bayern Munich has reportedly contacted Manchester City to discuss the availability of midfielder Kalvin Phillips. Coach Thomas Tuchel is reportedly looking for a new defensive midfielder. Even the Bundesliga champion almost signed Joao Palhinha from Fulham in the summer.

However, Palhinha's move to the Allianz Arena failed in the last minute, and the Portugal international then signed a new long-term contract with Fulham.

The report also adds that Tuchel is a fan of Phillips and was impressed by the midfielder's performance while defending his former Leeds United club.

Phillips left his boyhood club Leeds in the summer of 2022 after seven years playing in the first team and moving to Man City, where he initially hoped to become a regular in Pep Guardiola's side.

However, the 27-year-old has only started in five of his 26 appearances for The Citizens in all competitions, and only one in 13 games at the start of the new season.

While Rodri is considered the main preferred defensive midfielder at Man City, Phillips has been displaced by summer purchases of Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes in the hierarchy, while 18-year-old full-backs Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva are also used in the deeper midfielder role in front of the Yorkshire midfielder.

Bayern reportedly still sees Palhinha as their main target in mid-January, but they are also monitoring a number of alternatives.

According to 90min, the Bavarian giant has identified Phillips as an alternative to Palhinha and has contacted Man City to determine his current status at the club.

Phillips still has five years left in his contract at the Etihad, but is reportedly ready to consider moving from Man City to find regular playing time.

However, the latest reports claim that City are only willing to release Phillips if they get as much profit from the 45 million pounds they spent on the midfielder 15 months ago.

After appearing as a starter in England's 3-1 win over Italy in Euro 2024 qualifiers on Tuesday, October 17, Phillips told Channel 4, "As a footballer, you always want to play, and that happens to me too. I want to get playing time and it's clear for the past year and a half, I haven't got it yet. Let's see what happens."

Bayern may face competition from a number of Premier League clubs for Phillips' signatures, including West Ham United, Newcastle United, Arsenal, Everton, and Liverpool.