Kalvin Phillips saga takes twist as agents step in after Newcastle, West Ham & Crystal Palace interest

The agents of Kalvin Phillips have begun negotiations with Manchester City over the size of the loan fee currently being demanded by the Premier League champions.

According to The Guardian's Ed Aarons, there are "several clubs interested" in the 28-year-old including Crystal Palace, West Ham and Newcastle United. However, all three clubs have been unwilling to pay the £6million asking price.

The midfielder was backed to seal an early move to Tyneside at the start of the January transfer window, but The Telegraph reported earlier this week that we're ready to walk away from a deal if City's demands - including an obligatory purchase at the end of the season - don't come down.

Sky Sports have also suggested that the vast majority of his £135,000-a-week wages will need to be covered, offering another potential stumbling block as he bids for regular first-team football to secure his place in England's Euro 2024 squad.

https://twitter.com/ed_aarons/status/1747294734245122277

In a December interview with Sky Sports, City manager Pep Guardiola apologised to Phillips for not playing him but admitted that "he struggles to see him" in the team.

Phillips has 31 caps for England and last appeared for the Three Lions against North Macedonia in November, but has played just four Premier League games this season, with all his appearances coming from the bench.