Manchester City are in the market for a new midfielder as Kalvin Phillips appears to be on the verge of leaving the club.
In January, it's highly likely that Phillips will depart Etihad in search of more consistent first-team opportunities, with clubs like Newcastle United, Liverpool, and West Ham United expressing varying levels of interest.
A temporary loan move appears to be the most probable scenario, with a permanent transfer expected in the summer. However, a report from Defensa Central, via Fichajes, indicates that Real Madrid are prepared to offer €50 million for Phillips. The player's representatives have reportedly presented him as an option to the Spanish giants, although there's no guarantee that he would see more playing time in Madrid compared to his current situation at Manchester City.
If Phillips departs in January, City intend to target Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios. According to TNT Sports, the Argentine World Cup winner has piqued Manchester City's interest while playing under Xabi Alonso.
Despite recently signing an extension that ties him to Leverkusen until the summer of 2028, Palacios won't come cheap. While Transfermarkt values him at €35 million, City may have to pay more to secure his services.
Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also reportedly keen on Palacios, which could potentially drive up his price through a competitive bidding process.
Palacios, who was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 World Cup, made substitute appearances in the semi-finals, the last 16, and a group stage match against Mexico. He is a versatile midfielder capable of playing a deep-lying playmaker role or surging forward into attacking positions, making him a suitable fit for Manchester City's system under Pep Guardiola.
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