‘Yet to progress’: Journalist says Newcastle have yet to make a move for ‘formidable’ midfielder

Yet another development has emerged in the ongoing Kalvin Phillips to Newcastle United saga. As the January transfer window approaches, speculations about Newcastle’s interest in Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips continue to evolve.

The 28-year-old midfielder, lauded as ‘formidable’ by City’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain, was initially linked to a move to Juventus. However, the narrative shifted to Phillips expressing a desire to remain in the Premier League, with the latest twist suggesting a preference for Juventus over Newcastle. Notably, Newcastle has not made any formal approach as of yet.

Despite earlier reports suggesting that the deal with Newcastle was finalized pending the window’s opening, David Ornstein of The Athletic offers a different perspective. Ornstein, while examining potential January transfers for Newcastle, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Phillips. He emphasized that no progress has been made on a potential loan for Phillips, and there remains interest in Conor Gallagher.

The notion that the deal with Newcastle is already settled seems to be off the mark, especially since Newcastle has not initiated any move, suggesting that Phillips may not be as high a priority as some outlets suggest. While Newcastle undoubtedly needs a holding midfielder, it remains uncertain if Phillips is the right fit. The talent is acknowledged, but questions linger about how quickly he can adapt. Drawing parallels with Anthony Gordon’s slow adjustment last January, there are concerns that if a loan deal is pursued, the full potential of Phillips might not be realized before his return to Manchester City.